Enter By the Narrow Gate

“Sir, yes sir!” Oorah! It’s the Uber-tern back again for another exciting episode of “Enter by the Narrow Gate.” This being the day (after the day) after Memorial Day, and its better late than never. We wanted to send a big shout out to all the past, present, and future servicemen of our country. The country is indebted to you all and appreciates the service you’ve graciously given us.

I can’t help but be reminded every year of Paul’s words in his second letter to Timothy on this day set aside for soldiers of our country. Paul writes, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.” (2 Tim 2:3-4 NIV)

“Fire in the hole!” Well not quite like that I suppose, but do you get Paul’s point? What is he saying? Paul is relating us as Christ followers, to soldiers in an army. He first says not to get involved with civilian affairs. Civilian affairs? Whosy whatsy? Think of it this way, if you’re a solider in a foreign land and you have been assigned to stay at watch on a post, would you head over to the local Starbucks and pick up a grande chai latte extra foam? I think not! Not only would you not be doing your duty and discharged, but also you should have gone with the caramel frappuccino.

Soldiers are focused on the goal and aren’t being sidetracked by the world around them. So what is the goal then? Funny you should ask, Paul goes on to make his second point that the soldier’s goal is to please his commanding officer. As Christ followers who is our commanding officer? Anyone…anyone? Bueller? Well, here is the perfect time for your Sunday school answer that can be used to fit nearly any question posed. Jesus! Yayyy kids, its like one of those mad-libs where you fill in Jesus for every blank. Super job class, A+ for the day.

Well, what about it? Have you enlisted yet? What civilian affairs are you being involved in that is keeping you from pleasing our commanding officer? Maybe its that late night show which bogs your brain down with sexual innuendos, or maybe its going to a party and just “socially” drinking so you can fit in, or maybe its that unhealthy experimenting relationship with your boy toy/ girlfriend. Its not easy to resist those things, by no means! But, we are called to enter by the narrow gate. God’s way or the world’s way, there is no in between. Fall in solider!