By now many of you know that I am back in the Great US of A! Wow, what an opportunity God provided for me and at the same time He has greatly increased my appreciation for the things I use to take for granted daily. The whole experience really your sensitivity to all we overlook on a daily basis. For example:
When our plane landed at Forbes Field in Kansas in late September I was awe struck by the glistening dew sparkling like diamonds off the beautiful green grass. It literally took my breath away. I know that sounds a little less than manly, but 18 months ago I would have never noticed the beauty of God's creation as I did that morning and for that I am so grateful.
It took God less than 7 days to create what it, unfortunately, takes some of us more than 50 years to appreciate. Sadly enough, perhaps, some never appreciate it. Personally, I think it is time to stop and appreciate all that God has done for us and at the same time step up to the responsibility he has given us as Christians. Stepping up to this responsibility is the greatest way we can worship and demonstrate our love and appreciation for all He has done.
Many of you reading this know the Lord as your personal savior and accept His word as the truth, the way, the light. However, how many of us truly live what we believe? I for one get very disappointed in the things I do and don't do that I know would be pleasing to God. I believe and yet I don't quite live what I believe. Why can't I get it right? Why can't I get my actions in sync with my beliefs? This is not an easy answer but there are things we can do to help us get up each morning and prepare ourselves for the day ahead.
One lesson God demonstrated to me while in Iraq was the importance of having a "Battle Buddy." Your Battle Buddy was the guy who would help to make sure you had all your gear in the right place, in working order, and who would never leave you. He went everywhere with you and made sure that during times of struggle or conflict, he was there and would never leave you. This provided both a sense of security and comfort knowing that there was someone to hold you accountable and keep you on the right course in preparation for a tough day in the trenches.
Here the Battle Buddy is just as important for us as Christians as it is for the soldier in Iraq. There is a war waging daily against good and evil. Everyday we face temptations that put us in harms way and unless we have someone who loves us enough to help us navigate the difficult path it is sometimes to much for our sinful nature to bear.
You are probably more familiar with the term "accountability partner", however, I tend to think "Battle Buddy" is a more applicable term for the difficult challenges that each of us face as we tend to the things we have been in trusted with.
I urge you today to find and reach out to a Battle Buddy of your own. It is too important to neglect. Find someone who will call at least weekly and see how you are doing in your spiritual walk. In kind, you check on them as well. You develop a relationship of trust and respect and you love them enough to tell them when the path they are traveling is one that will lead to destruction. Help each other to dress daily in the full armor of God (Eph. 4:13) and prepare for the challenges that lye ahead. If you do it will make a tremendous difference in your ability to see the danger that lurks ahead for all of us.
Be prepared! Be ready! Be all you can be for our God!
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