As another year closes, I will end with an entirely different post. This departure is not permanent, rather it is a different focus for me in light of a recent sermon I heard in church.
The premise is this: As Christians we are called to be “Athletes,” “Farmers,” and “Soldiers.” These three occupations never occurred to me and yet, I remember reading about all of these in scripture. You may think of yourself as a service professional, city employee, working for a large corporation, delivery person, dasher, mailroom clerk, IT department head or any number of other careers, but an athlete, farmer, and solider? Not my first choice for sure and I doubt yours either.
Let’s explore these and see “if the shoe fits” so to speak.
We are called to be Athletes
If you are curious about where we are given this responsibility, here are the scriptures.
Psalm 119:32 “I will run the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.”
Isaiah 40:31 “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Daniel 12:4 “Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
Continue to look up these additional passages and write them out and see how you are an “Athlete” as a Christian.
1 Corinthians 9:26
Galatians 2:2
Philippians 2:16
Hebrews 12:1
1 Peter 4:4
What changes do you want to make in 2023 to be an “Athlete for God?”
What does all this mean to us today?
Just like to current job you work at right now, you are expected to behave in a certain manner, to be respectful, be honest, work diligently, ask questions when you are confused or do not understand. We are just like young children learning how to live and work in a world which is ever changing. For most the world is moving at a pace that no one can honestly say they can keep up with.
Did you know we as humans are not meant to be running at such a fast pace, and our bodies and minds must have quiet, uninterrupted down time to “retool?” This of course isn’t new information. In fact, this was written about hundreds of years ago. Warriors during the Crusades, fell to the ground from shear exhaustion from the heat, weight of their armor, hurling heavy swords, and lack of food, water, and sleep. Marching for days, weeks, and months and being away from home took its toll. We are no different today. We of course show it in other ways. We also “escape” in different ways too.
Our Heavenly Father wants us to remain “fit” and keep His “temple” our body in good shape. Not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually. He gave us this earthly vessel to be Ambassadors of Christ. The scripture tells us to “run the race” – meaning, live our lives in such a way that is honoring to God, and to be salt and light. Keep on running your race until your last breath is breathed and you change your address from earth to heaven.
What changes do you want to make in 2023 to be an “Athlete for God?”
A Warrior’s Boundaries, and Free Will
Our Heavenly Father gave us boundaries for a reason. They are there to protect us. He also gave us “Free Will,” and the consequences that result in those free will decisions. Where do you see yourself in your world as an athlete for God? What about your planting and reaping, spiritual crops as a farmer? You probably feel like a warrior for sure every day as you venture out into the seemingly endless vile which hits you in the face the moment you open your eyes.
As a warrior we must make sure as we dress each day we also put on the “Full Armor of God.” If you are not familiar with this passage, look it up now; Ephesians 6:10. During many of my client coaching sessions, I have referenced this passage. Each piece of armor is distinct, just as each piece of clothing you put on is. I also tell clients if they can’t remember this, to buy one of the big posters and hang it on their closet door so they can see it each morning.
Did you know each piece of armor is also part of your job as a Christian, part of your serving, pieces of the boundaries which protect you? As you read the Ephesians passage, think about what each of the six pieces of armor represent in your life and how you model who you are to the world.
What changes do you want to make in 2023 to be an “Athlete for God?”
We are called to be Farmers
If you are curious about where we are given this responsibility, here are the scriptures.
2 Timothy 2:6 “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.”
Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
Hosea 10:12 “Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
Isaiah 32:20
Jeremiah 4:3
Mica 6;15
Luke 12:24
Luke 12:27
James 5:17
Psalm 107:37
You get the idea. Look these up for yourself and remember to “whom” the verse is written, the “times” and the “culture” in which the author and recipient lived. These apply to us today as they did when they were written.
What changes do you want to make in 2023 to be an “God’s Farmer?”
What does all this mean to us today?
You may not think of yourself as a “Farmer,” but in many ways we are all Farmers of one kind or another. Some of you may have a small family raised bed vegetable garden, so you know you are farming it, fertilizing it, pulling weeds, watching out for pesky bugs eating your produce even before you pick it – hence you are a farmer. Some of you may be avid or green thumb flower bed gardeners – yep, you too are a farmer of flowers!
Let’s connect the dots here to “You, the Farmer for God.” As Christians we are planting the seeds of truth, obedience, salvation, commandments, lighting the way, setting boundaries, speaking God’s promises to those who are not yet saved. The crop we plant may not bear fruit for many weeks, or even decades. We are diligent in pruning away the dead so we can bear more fruit. We pull the weeds in our own life [our garden] and those of the ones we love, so we may grow in the richness of God’s truth. We are bathed in the sunlight of His promises.
We plant, and we harvest in the seasons of the year and the seasons of life. Some years bear little fruit/produce. This is an indication that we may need pruning, more fertilizer [studying His word, attending church, being in a small group or serving others], and perhaps there are sinful weeds in our lives we need to pull up and discard.
What changes do you want to make in 2023 to be a “God’s Farmer?”
We are called to be Soldiers
If you are curious about where we are given this responsibility, here are the scriptures.
Isaiah 40:21 “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” [Put on strength!]
Put on Righteousness – Isaiah 59:17
Put On Armour of Light – Romans 13:12
Put On Incorruption – 1 Cor. 15:53
Put on the whole armor of God – Ephesians 6:11
Put On tender mercies – Colossians 3:10
Put on Love – Colossians
Put on the Armour of Light – Romans 13:12
What does all this mean to us today?
Recently one of my pastors spoke these words:
“You as a Christian are not tied to the “conflict, illness, financial challenges, political turmoil, left, right, center, or any other turmoil” whirling around in and through your life! You are tied to ETERNITY!”
Now that is a wonderful promise, quite a statement, and it is so true. How often do you and I think we are literally bound with rope with something that triggers us in our lives today? Every minute I might surmise. We might even go so far as to explain this as our own private “very severe trial.” Is this a private severe trial for you right now?
No, these are the battles we face each day we are alive, and we are called to be “Soldiers” in God’s army. Again, I will mention the verses from Ephesians 6:10 – 18.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
I have highlighted those direct commands from our General. If you are curious as to exactly what you are fighting and whom you are fighting, God’s word is clear. This passage was written by a disciple of Jesus, Paul. Paul wrote this message in a letter to the believers in Ephesus. He was encouraging these believers as he was in Rome in prison. Let’s explore what Paul said:
- You {Christian} are fighting against the evil schemes of the devil.
- Your fight is against Satan’s army and all the powers of darkness at his command.
- You as a believer must stand your ground, right where God has placed you right now in your life.
- Keep truth in your mind, heart and on your lips, and today in your emails and text messages.
- Remain righteous and do not sin.
- As you put on your shoes, walk in peace, and do not seek out trouble or sow dissension.
- Always keep your personal shield of faith ready because the devil is just looking for the opportunity to strike the moment you lower your shield.
- Stay in the word of God to protect your mind with your helmet of your salvation and the Holy Spirit which is within and with you always and God’s word.
- Stay alert as if you were the duty guard at your post in a war. For if you dose off one of our own may faulter.
This is way to heavy for me today, Janice. Oh really, is your life worth much or are you willing to just skate by and do what you please regardless of the consequences to you, your family, your life, career, community, church, or anything else you care about? If you do not care or are unwilling to take your place in God’s army, then you are choosing all the things in that Ephesians passage Paul warns us about. You are in essence inviting the flaming arrows of evil into your life because you are not willing to defend yourself and those you love. This is a simple, no brainer choice, but the choice is up to you.
What changes do you want to make in 2023 to be in “God’s Army?”
Beginning January 9th, 2023, I have a limited spaces for new clients. If you are interested in becoming a client, please contact me below and put “New Client” in the subject line. I am also taking new clients through the New Life Ministries Coaching Network. If you prefer to become a client using New Life, please contact them and ask for me as your coach. Call: 1-800-639-5433.