Prepared for Battle

Written January 8, 2021

The world is constantly teaching us that a life worth living is a life without conflict, heartache, misfortune, etc. To avoid any conflict, discomfort, or mishap is evidence that you are living life well. At face value it kinda makes sense. A society that stresses this strategy, one can assume, that it doesn’t have the tools/strategy to face conflict, heartache, tragedy etc. that the world brings. We are told to avoid or ignore it, through medication, meditation, pleasures, distractions, but lets be honest none of these strategies gives deep strength to get through it. To come out of the other side of suffering, renewed and maybe even healthier.  

In the Christian culture we learn that choosing to follow Christ actually doesn’t lead to a cush life, in contrast it really does make living in this world somewhat harder. More things to be aware of, more changes, more sacrifice. Of course, the closer we get to God the more transformed we become and we all know transformation requires change, and change means letting go of the things we thought we knew, the things we liked and maybe even learned to love. In essence that’s what change is: letting go of the old way, to convert towards the new. But stepping into the new will bring conflict/suffering, a learning curve. Doing the new thing requires vulnerability, stepping into the unknown can risk getting hurt, discomfort, sorrow, mistakes, unnecessary drama that we would never have to deal had we chosen not to change. So then, why do Christian stay committed to transformation? In fact why do Christians, who are transformed by the gospel, actually end up seeking out the messiness of life? Why do they travel the world on missions, to third world countries? Why do they spend their free time and hard earned money on the poor or the less fortunate? Why are they willing to put themselves at the front lines of the battlefield? 

The logical explanation must be that Christians have the tools and armor to face the conflicts/messiness of life. How else does a soldier storm the battlefield with courage? He has the tools, the weapons, the armor, the skill set to face the battle with confidence and courage. The soldier who lacks any of this, is the one who places himself in the ‘safest’ place in battle, and that is NOT the front. Christians are prepared soldiers ready to fight the good fight.

So how do they do it?  

What is the tool or armor that Christians have that gives them the wherewithal to face life? That is the Gospel. The Gospel gives us the end of result of life. We know how the battle ends. No longer are we living from a place of mystery but rather we are living from a place of Victory. Because of what Jesus Christ did, coming to us as man living the life we should have lived and to die the death we should have died, He has accomplished life. And therefore, by believing in Him we can live, know that nothing in this world will be an ultimate downfall or failure, because we have already won through Christ. Nothing that life throws at us can be something that destroys us emotionally, nothing can destroy our hope and outcome. Because Christ has accomplished life. Christ beat the ultimate ‘unknown’ of the human condition, which is death. 

That is why we see Christians not only unafraid of the messiness of life and people but they actually pursue it. Like the skilled soldier who seeks out the battle front. Because he knows that he is prepared and he knows that this battle is already won. 

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And lets face it, it is only when we face problems and issues and live through it do we gain any sort of wisdom, experience and compassion. Only when we fall, does our pride finally get out of the way, far enough that we can have the humility to see the error of our ways. And only from that place of humility, kneeling on the floor of our failure, can we see that we are not much different from the people around us, which in turn brings us to a place of compassion understanding and no more judgement. The soldier who has spent his life on the battle front, making mistakes, accomplishing, losing, hurting, is the soldier who will have the wisdom and strength to face the new battle. Unlike the soldier who sits in the back who only trains in theory and never experiences the realities of true battle. 

The more muck you’re willing to go through the more wisdom and fruit of the spirit does one gain. And now having the proper tools and armor, the Christian, doesn’t have to be afraid of the muck nor avoid, but face it head on.