These past weeks, television networks have covered horrific tornado scenes in Grandbury, Texas, and in Moore, Oklahoma. And we’ve watched.
Over the past years we’ve been glued to the tube by the Oklahoma bombing, the 9/11 massacre, the heartbreak and disaster of Katrina and countless other tragedies that have unfolded on the screens in our living rooms.
We have been schooled to be spectators. And we have become experts.
These tragic events cause our hearts to heave, our tears to flow, and our emotions to be stirred. But we reside in a tornado of deception. The media moves onto the next news worthy event. And we flip the channel to the next calamity and return to what we think is normal.
For the spectators.
In the weeks following 9/11 America’s churches filled to capacity. We were jolted into the reality of terrorists who wanted to kill us. And this nation came face to face with our consequential helplessness. People prayed—in droves—turned back to God and prayed some more. But twelve years later, those months of national humbling have passed, replaced by a deeper apathy, deception and open rebellion toward God.
We’ve retreated to our living rooms, cranked up the volume of the tube, and watched as the world implodes.
But God hasn’t called His children to be spectators, He has called us to be soldiers. Christian soldiers. Soldiers, marching through the battlefield of life, with orders from Headquarters to “go and make disciples.”
Oops, that’s not a politically correct paragraph, is it? Too bad—it’s truth.
In prior years we sang the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers”. How long has it been since you’ve sung that one on Sunday morning? Do you younger folks know the words? Is this song even in the hymnals any more? Are there hymn books or just words that flash on a screen?
Let’s stop and think for a moment about the differences between spectators and soldiers.
Other than the price of a ticket, spectators have no vested interest in anything. They’ve come to watch, to be entertained—at the ballgame, a concert, or even at church. If you’re a spectator, you’re not likely to read the details of the program. And if you have to pay extra for one, forget it.
The entertainment ends, the spectators gather any belongings they arrived with and rush on to the next event. Spectators probably don’t even remember the topic of the sermon or what the choir sang, if church was the event. And even if it was a ballgame or concert, the details fade in light of the next dalliance, distraction or diversion on the agenda.
Spectators are usually lighthearted, happy folks, on the surface. Easy to get along with, fun, and always ready for life’s next delight. ‘Til trouble comes.
But what about soldiers. The word even sounds serious, doesn’t it?
The word soldier infers there is a war. Soldier indicates there is army. And Christian Soldier implies there is a Commander.
Every soldier must read the manual, cover to cover, if they plan to live. And a soldier always puts on the assigned battle gear. A soldier is vigilant for any sign of an enemy attack and is prepared for the battle at a moments notice.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-12 NAS).
News flash—we are at war! A spiritual war rages around and in us each day. The ravages of this battle litter the surface of our earth, just like the devastation caused by the catastrophes we watch on the evening news. Yes, there is an ongoing battle and we have a very real enemy who has painted the bulls-eye of destruction on our backsides.
But spectators don’t believe this battle exists. As long as they are fed and clothed, life is good. To acknowledge this battle would require a reality check that might convince them perhaps this current world is a dangerous place and the enemy is real.
These happy-go-lucky folks live life in a hot zone, attempting to run through the mine fields of life dressed in their undershorts, and they will become battlefield casualties.
Each day skirmishes flare in our homes, at work, and in the classroom. Every plot of dirt, concrete and water on the planet is engaged in this battle and most of us are not even aware we trample through remnants of defeat or arenas of victory each day.
However, the enemy has no new tricks. Why should he? The old ones still work quite well. This generation of distracted, disinterested and desensitized people is growing. Deceived throngs, just like Jesus said there would be in the days before He returns.
The day after the Moore tornadoes, one of the news commentators asked several of those interviewed: “Officials have said no one should have survived this tornado. How do you think so many people survived? And why?”
From the fire chief, to first responders, and a few of those who survived responded: “timely media warnings, technology, and lessons learned from past tornadoes.” Not a one of those interviewed answered—by the mercy and grace God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Are you a spectator or soldier? Do you hear the warning sirens? Do you see the storm clouds gathering? Are you on the alert, preparing and accepting the mercy and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ? Or are you dismissing the warnings, refusing to prepare for the storm that is coming? Watching? Living only for the next moment?
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 6:16-17 NAS).
A lot of people consider “Onward Christian Soldiers” politically incorrect. They don’t believe War is compatible with Christianity. The forget Paul’s admonitions about putting on our armor to fight the battle of faith.
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Sue, unfortunately many who name the name of Jesus don’t spend enough time in His word to find out what He has said or who He is. I believe we are going to spend eternity being astonished and amazed when we see Jesus, face to face. That’s why I want to know as much about Him as possible before I get there.
DiAne
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I experienced this very thing as I helped clean up in West two weeks ago. There were 5 of us picking up debris at a home that had been destroyed. It didn’t take long before I noticed how many motorcycles and cars were driving by with curiosity on their faces–spectators. Even though the devastation of the explosion took place many weeks ago, West needs more soldiers, and less spectators. I pray that with the recent disasters in Granbury, TX and Moore, OK will not make West a forgotten town.
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And Gail, the sad thing is we’ve become a nation of spectators. Always rushing to the next event, accomplishing very little that matters for eternity. Thanks for reading and commenting.
DiAne
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DiAne, I shared this on my family FB account (Mizhummer) because it’s so poignant . . . and TRUE. In today’s society, many people don’t even know their next-door neighbors’ names. We’ve become a “don’t get involved” people. That’s sad.
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Linda, thank you for reposting. We’ve got to confront some of these issues before we implode.
DiAne
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I agree with Sue. Onward Christian Soldiers is one of my favorites. As usual, Diane, a good thought-provoking post.
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Diane, I’ve been trying to connect. Please message me on FB or email me at coloradopolly. I would love to share on your blog about the ghostwriting, but don’t know exactly what you would like, perhaps an interview? Let me know. 🙂
Happy Sunday,
Love, Paulette
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