Fight The Battle

“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”
2 Timothy 2:4

Surprises are always special and fill us with joy. Surprise visits by someone whom we miss dearly are icing on the cake. Videos of soldiers heading back home to meet their family, tiny little babies crawling fast to their military parents overloads us with such emotions of joy and happiness even if we are complete strangers and mere spectators to them.

It is quite usual that we constantly think about our family consciously or unconsciously in our daily routine. On the other hand, the fact of staying away from family, missing all the love, inability to express feelings become a part and parcel of a soldier’s life. Home, a place of love, joy, laughter, happiness, care, support and health turns a place of probable return.

How difficult must it be for a soldier to get back to work after a short time with the family? Carrying treasures of memories that will help him/her survive till the next visit and the fear of uncertainties if this joy would last, a soldier moves ahead slowly loosening the knots that bind the heart.

What would happen if these scenes of his joyous moments flashing across his mind at the warfront make the soldier step back from facing the enemies? Doesn’t he/she have a heart that aches, a family that waits beside a country that trusts? Nevertheless, their priorities are clearly designed, emotions controlled and the focus is set upon only their assigned tasks.

We often hear painful news of soldiers laying down their lives as a sacrifice, and the young families they have built in love reacting with mixed emotions of sorrow and pride. With the recent news of martyred soldiers, this meditation calls us to think how focussed are we being soldiers of Christ.

“Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See his banners go!”

Thus, goes the lyrics of a familiar hymn that boosts the spirit with its rhythm as it is being sung. However, how much of the words sink in and how much do we mean it, becomes a billion dollar question.

If a soldier can be so disciplined not missing his targets set by human authority, how are we able to so easily miss the mark set by our Royal Master? Being soldiers of Christ, we must stay focussed not to be entangled with the conditions of the world but march on to the royal battle carrying the banner of Christ.

Is this not what little David exactly did? With a stature, might or weapons that are not even a wee bit comparable to his mighty enemy, David set his focus on the Lord choosing to shut his ears to the worldly voices and discouragements. He said, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47.

My dear friends in Christ, whatever be the concerns or the barriers that may come to us, be it from our opposers or those dearer to us, let us never lose focus but fight the battle of the Royal Master with His strength. Can we start marching as His mighty warriors from this month? May God lead us and fight our battles as we start focussing upon Him.