Today, in honor of our noble veterans, let’s look at a slice of what it means to be a soldier. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul uses the example of a soldier in exhorting his young disciple, Timothy:
“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.”
Three things stick out to me in this passage.
Endure hardship. It’s inevitable that soldiers will encounter hardship. There will be uncomfortable situations, heavy burdens, hard tasks and sacrifice – perhaps of their lives. Hardship is expected and so they willingly submit to it. As Paul encourages Timothy, there is a reminder that we are called to a difficult life. It is the same word he uses in 2 Timothy 1:8 translated “share in the suffering.” It’s not a matter of whether we encounter hardship, but when we encounter it and how we endure it. Bear it patiently. Don’t give up. Don’t run away.
With us. This hardship that will be encountered, should be endured in community. A significant cost of service is that of leaving home. This separation helps draw them into a new body. Military units are a cohesive group and they rely on each other for survival. There is trust that has been built during training so that they go into battle as one. The television mini-series “Band of Brothers” portrays this camaraderie. Lone warriors and lone saints don’t survive long. In this passage, Paul is calling Timothy into community.
Follow the Commander. The soldier knows the one he follows and to whom he reports. He doesn’t complicate his mission with outside concerns, but works to bring success to his commander. The purpose and goal of the battle is so important, he dares not get encumbered with distractions. We need to lay aside anything that encumbers us from wholeheartedly following Jesus.
Join with me. Don’t be discouraged when the hardships come, but hold close to community, faithful to the Commander and King, and focused on His mission.
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