Farmer, Athlete, Soldier.

           

 Sitting towards the back of the congregation, but soaking up every glory-dipped tone. Wearing a new burnt orange maxi dress, comfortable in cotton I sat. By the end, I had a new set of armor for living the God life without shame. These things struck my heartstrings and are still resonating days after. Pastor Russ from Living Word North spoke on being three things for Christ.

 We are these three things as stated in 2 Timothy 2.

We are:

Soldiers of Christ

Knowing the authority under which we stand united; endure suffering.

Fair athletes

Preparing for the win with a humble heart.

Diligent Farmers

Being diligent and patient in all things.

All are invited to live according to these three charismas.  However, not many will go with you. Professional athletes pack stadiums because their devotion to the goal is attractive and attention grabbing. They are good at what they do. It’s fun to watch, but few have the vision to push themselves past the finish line. 

Being a Christian is like being a professional athlete, a soldier and farmer in one spirit filled person. Each of their characteristics is revealed under different circumstances. Common themes found in the soldier, athlete and farmer: facing adversity, putting in the extra time, training, training some more, enduring hardship, being committed, staying focused, unpretentiousness, strength, keeping the vision, and working hard for what they receive. We need to break entitlement off of this generation, my generation.

Things shouldn’t be handed to us.

More than that, we shouldn’t expect them to be handed to us.

At the end there is a reward that will be worth it all.

 “The time is coming, if it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” – Habakkuk 2:3