Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3
It is always inspiring to read the stories about George Washington and his troops as they spent the winter of 1778 at Valley Forge. They endured tremendous physical hardship at a time when they could have been at home tending to their families and their farms and enjoying the comforts of home. Instead, because they had a cause they believed in, they struggled through the difficulties and became victorious on the other side. They were rewarded with the blessings of freedom and with the knowledge that they had the support of a nation who was grateful for their sacrifice.
As Christian soldiers in His service, God expects no less from us. Sure, we may have to endure the ridicule of those who wish to suppress Christianity. We may have to withstand the mocking of the crowd whose desire is to extinguish the name of Christ. We may be called upon to experience the laughter of a humanity who does not understand the convictions and standards we are compelled to uphold. We may meet with the scorn of a world who thinks that our faith is in vain. But the cause for which we endure those things is so much greater than ourselves. The men at Valley Forge endured because they knew that what they were fighting for was so much bigger than the trifles they would have to endure during that winter. They were fighting for freedom, something that could not be measured in terms of hardships. They were fighting for a way of life for their children and their children’s children, and they knew that they must endure or lose everything they had dreamed of having when the conflict began.
There is so much at stake for the soldiers of Jesus Christ. If we let down our guard and allow a little cold to keep us from church; if we allow a little disappointment to turn us against our "Commander-in-Chief"; if we allow the advances of the enemy to discourage us from fighting on for what is right; if we desert and run to the side of the enemy, then one day this world may know nothing of the very thing for which we are fighting – Christianity. The rewards we gain make it far more worth it to endure and to struggle than to roll over and lose the fight.
Read also: 2 Timothy 2:1-5
Quote of the day: “Don’t pray for an easy life, pray to be a stronger person.”