“Be a good little soldier!” A four year old takes a deep breath, wipes away tears on his shirtsleeve and tries to control his emotions. It is no easy task for a youngster, or adult. Yet, it ranks below the challenge of controlling our desires. A child wants to have things their own way, if we like to admit it or not, we do too. Paul tenderly reminded Timothy of the need for discipline in the lives of those called into active service.

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV).” A good soldier is on call 24-7, relies on his basic training and his equipment. As a soldier in God’s army, I will be alert to his call, study his guidebook the Bible, and rely on his Holy Spirit.