Attention Soldier

May 28, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Encouragement

904096_army I’m sure many of you have heard the song “I’m a soldier in the Army of the Lord”, we sing it in our churches with such passion and authority. But do we really know what it means to be a soldier? I served three years as a United States Air Force Officer so I know what it means to be a soldier! As I reflected on my training as an Air Force officer, I realized there are some comparisons to being a soldier in the Lord’s Army that I’d like to share with you.

The first principal is in the TRAINING itself. Before becoming a commissioned officer (a soldier) I went through 4 years of training. I also was required to attend a 4-week intensive boot camp. The military recognizes that effective training is crucial. Saints of God I submit to you that as crucial as military training (sometimes faced with life or death situations) may be….it is nothing compared to the training and equipping of a soldier in the Lord’s army! Our battle is a spiritual one

….for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph 6:12)

Some of us are in spiritual boot camp right now! What area do you need intensive training in? Patience, humility, discipleship? Is the Lord requiring formal training or mentor relationships to perfect the gifts He has given you?

During my season of military training we were required to learn warrior knowledge. This included the Code of Conduct, Tenets of Air and Space Power, Air Force vision and mission etc. At any given time a training instructor could ask us to recite warrior knowledge…we were expected to be able to recite back the expected phrase flawlessly and without hesitation. We were given warrior handbooks with the daily information we were expected to memorize. What does your warrior handbook say? My warrior handbook says:

- Count it all joy! (James 1:2)
- I’m more than a conqueror (Rom 8:37)
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13)
- Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4)

I could keep going but I think you get the idea!

A major part of our training was learning how to properly march (or drill). Before you can move you need to learn to STAND AT ATTENTION. When you are at attention your eyes are caged, that is fixed on a certain point. No matter what is going on around a soldier at attention…you are not to take your eyes off focus. During our training period instructors would conduct ‘bearing exercises’….while standing at attention our instructors would try to make us laugh or jump because of a loud noise….anything to make us lose our bearing.

I am reminded of Peter in the 14th chapter of Matthew and how he was able to walk on water as long as he kept his attention / focus / bearing on JESUS.

But when he saw the wind boysterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

How many of us have been in Peter’s shoes? STAND AT ATTENTION SOLDIER! Eyes caged, shoulders back….don’t take your focus off Jesus! Don’t let the distractions cause you to lose your bearing. After we learned to stand at attention, we learned to MARCH. Sometimes the training instructors would intentionally march us towards a wall, table, or other obstacle to see if we knew what to do. What do we do? I’m glad you asked! We MARK TIME (that is march in place about 3 feet in front of the obstacle).

Saints of God I want to leave you with this point…when obstacles come in your way MARK TIME….don’t stop moving, don’t get discouraged. You keep moving until that obstacle is moved or until you get new marching orders. Soldiers put a great deal of trust in their commander when they drill….their eyes are fixed straight ahead so they are relying on their commander to keep them safe and watch out for their surroundings. A soldier that comes upon an obstacle will MARK TIME until the obstacle is moved or they receive another command. How much more so should we trust JESUS!

photo credit: Sean-Beijing