On Memorial Day weekend, the son of a friend was injured in Iraq. He was driving an up-armored Humvee when an IED was detonated. The explosive ripped through the reinforced door and into the young man's thigh and out his backside. Despite his horrific injury, with pain so severe that he was certain he was dying, he managed to keep driving ahead, carrying his fellow soldiers to safety. And despite their own fear, they sprang to action to care for him and to exact swift justice on his Syrian terrorist attacker. Such is the duty, the courage, the focus, and the determination of a good soldier...
I read II Timothy today and was struck by its theme: "...do not be ashamed...but share in the suffering for the gospel...share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
Paul inspires the young evangelist Timothy to be like a soldier with one single aim, like an athlete who competes according to the rules, like a farmer who earns a first share of the crops, like a worker who can be confident of approval, like a vessel useful for honorable purposes. God does not bless a cowardly soldier or an undisciplined athlete or a lazy farmer - and, likewise, God does not approve of unproductive, ineffective, fruitless Christians.
While we celebrate this fourth of July weekend, giving thanks for those who paid the price for our constitutional liberties, perhaps we also have a good opportunity to reflect on the freedom we find in Jesus Christ...and to evaluate whether our level of service is an appropriately grateful response.
Paul urged Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God," "do the work," "fulfill your ministry." You know, work involves suffering. Are you working? Are you tired and sweaty, maybe even a little bloody? Are you sharing in the suffering like a good soldier? If not, it's time to make it personal.
