Heart Healthy Words

Do you remember Scott O'Grady??  Scott was a an Air Force pilot shot down over Bosnia during a reconnaissance flight back in 1995.  He survived 6 harsh, winter days on a diet of bushes, bugs, and rain water.  He avoided detection until he was rescued by the 24th Marine Expedtionary Unit. 

Now I'm no expert on military training, but I'm pretty certain that, in the midst of that crisis, Scott O'Grady relied on the survival skills he had learned during his training.  More than likely, the training was arduous, demoralizing, and even painful at times.  Yet, it was that training that enabled him to survive the crisis. 

Most Christians have been there, though we might not realize it.  As we seek to know and obey God's will, obstacles and enemies will rise up and surround us.  Changing circumstances hack away at our faith.  The devil himself whispers threats to our security while we sit passively, listening intently for the still small voice of God urging us to stand firm and fight. 

Now imagine a military drill instructor spending his time with a special forces trainee while pumping him full of self-esteem building cliches.   Imagine that drill instructor feeds the trainee rich foods, protects him from the harsh elements, and assures him that Special Forces trainees deserve the most comfortable life possible.  IF that happened, the soldier would be at serious risk when the cruel realities of battle came.  If a soldier is to survive, he must be prepared. 

God needs well-trained, experienced warriors for His Kingdom.  He develops those warriors through crisis survival training.  There are plenty of self-serving, ego-inflated, fence-straddling folks who want to be called "Christian."  God needs men and women who are tried, tested, and true to His call.  The more intense the trial and suffering, the greater the work He has for them to do.  God needs men and women who realize that our responsibility involves more than making a living.  It involves making a difference in Jesus' Name. 

Perhaps God has you in training right now.  Don't be intimidated.  God Himself has promised to be with you.  Whatever the crisis, whatever the obstacle, whoever the perceived enemies, Paul's admonition to Timothy (I Timothy 6:11-12) is also for you:  " . . . pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith . . ."  And let me assure you that God's plan is not simply for your survival.  It is for Victory!!!