Live to please the One who enlisted you

"A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him." 2 Timothy 2:4 CSB

"Go Rebecca Ito!! Man you have stepped out of your comfort zone!! Early mornings, hills, cold and ultras!!!! Your friends are a bad influence on you." These were the words I jokingly wrote upon seeing my friend's post that included a picture of her bundled up from head to toe doing a 45-minute cold outdoor workout as part of a 75-day challenge she had embarked on several weeks ago. Less than two years earlier, Rebecca had not been very active at all. But after meeting a group of healthy-minded people that soon became friends, Rebecca was inspired and motivated by them to make positive lifestyle changes. Changes that included doing things she once despised like getting up regularly for early morning runs, running hills on purpose, braving the cold and elements for workouts she could easily complete inside, and even training for and completing her first ultra marathon. You could definitely say then that Rebecca's new circle of friends have had a positive influence on her.

 

And you know, the right group of friends will not only influence us to stay focused on our fitness goals, the right group of friends--those that wholeheartedly share the mission of serving Christ--will help us stay focused on living in such a way that "the one who enlisted" us is pleased. You see, the moment you and I chose to follow Jesus, we not only became soldiers in His army but joined countless others who made the same choice; soldiers that purposely and tenaciously refrain "from entangling" themselves "in civilian affairs" and keep their eyes, minds, wills and ears focused on their Commanding Officer. These are the friends that are much more than friends; they are comrades or fellow soldiers united for the purpose of joining us in the fight to see God's kingdom come and His will be done--and these are the friends that every Christian soldier must have if they are to stand strong and follow the Lord. 

So thank God today for those Christian brothers and sisters that are "enlisted" alongside you, vow to live worthy of the title of soldier and remember, in the words of J.C. Ryle, "The true Christian is called to be a soldier and must behave as such from the day of his conversion to the day of his death. He is not meant to live a life of religious ease, indolence and security. He must never imagine for a moment that he can sleep and doze along the way to heaven, like one traveling in an easy carriage."

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us comrades to join us in the battle to stay faithful, fight the good fight, and finish the race having lived worthy of being called a soldier in the army of Jesus Christ. Lord help us to understand how important it is for us to align ourselves with those who share the mission to serve You that we might strengthen one another and never shrink back from our duties. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Soldier - Unspoken