God Gives His Hardest Battles to His Toughest Soldiers

God gives his hardest battles to his toughest soldiers.

- Unknown 

 

 

Isn't it awesome to look back over your life and see growth? People would often recite the above quote to me in an attempt to comfort me during difficult times. Instead of feeling soothed and reassured, I would be left questioning God, wondering if He chose the right soldier!

 

The great commission is found in various locations of the Bible. Our mandate is to "Go ye therefore,  and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 28:19) Pastor Rick Warren explain it like this "He wants us to help get other people into his family." Jesus said it like this: “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world” (John 17:18 MSG). So we are ALL missionaries with the assignment to "Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in" (Luke 14:23).

But did you know that there are specific people assigned to us? There are some souls that are required of us. It is our duty to win some specific souls to the Kingdom. Oh you thought it was happenstance that you're friends with the girl who LOVES to party and is running from the church right now? Oh you thought it was just a coincidence that you work with that guy who doesn't really believe all this Christian mumbo jumbo? Oh you thought you chose that spouse who just wants to put God in a box and pull Him out on occasion? No, no no!!! These people, stubborn as they may be, are your assignment! 

Why me Lord? Why do I have to get the hard-headed ones who don't like to listen? Why did you assign me to the ones who fight the hardest and are the most argumentative? God's response..."Why not you? If not you, then who?" Can God depend on you to stay the course, to grow and stretch and do the work that is required to win these souls for the kingdom? 

Although sometimes, it feels that progress is not being made and that you're literally talking to a brick wall, keep pressing. Keep trying. Keep living. Sometimes your walk before them may be the most powerful evangelism tool. Continue to plant seeds. Someone else may water them, but God will give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). God will present opportunities for you to minister and plant seeds. Don't go in forcing holiness on them. Just live it in front of them, and live it joyfully! Don't make them think that living right is a struggle and is hard and tedious and no fun. Show them that yes, they will have to sacrifice and give up some things (Jesus sacrificed his life so we could live ABUNDANTLY [John 10:10]), but they can replace the things they give up with things of the kingdom that are even more fulfilling than things of the world! Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4)

Yes it's hard, but no, it's not impossible. No it's not easy, but yes it's worth it! Stay in the fight, for the prize is eternal life! Not just for us, but for those assigned to us! Don't give up, for great will be our reward!

Sharon C.

1/5/14