Armed and Dangerous, a Study in God's Armor for MenSample

Soldier On “I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So, pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for Him, as I should.” – Ephesians 6:20 Chained. Imprisoned. Trapped. This was Paul’s predicament when he wrote Ephesians. Not the ideal place to conduct your mission from. Yet, Paul’s perspective was stronger than his predicament. He knew that his current situation wouldn’t be final considering eternity, and even if it would be final considering this life, he had to finish strong. He had to soldier on. You might feel trapped in, but you don’t have to tap out. You might be chained, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take charge. You might feel imprisoned, but you are still enlisted. So, soldier on. It’s not over yet. Paul pressed on with the end in mind. He still preached the Gospel, he still wrote church letters, he still prayed for believers everywhere, and he still invested his time and energy to boldly fulfill his mission. We, too, can endure like Paul, even if our specific missions may differ slightly. All of us have the responsibility of being and making disciples for Christ. But not all our contexts are the same. Not all of us have churches to plant and lead, although some of us reading this, do. Maybe you have a business to run or a project to complete. Maybe you have a family to lead with the love of God and a wife to pursue with the persistence of Christ. Maybe you have a team to coach or friends in need who you should support. Or maybe all the above applies to you, and the juggle has become too much… Paul was willing to suffer until he had given it all for his life’s mission. Many of us want to give up when the first sacrifice for our life’s mission is required. As men we may have different priorities and areas that need our attention, from work to family life, from hobbies to volunteer work or ministries. But we need to apply focused intention, and start being selective with what truly needs our attention. If an athlete is not focused on the finish line, or even the course set before him, he’ll go off track, miss the checkpoints and eventually lose his race. If a soldier is not committed to his mission, he will fail, he might possibly be discharged. Even worse, the failure might cost his life and the lives of others. It is with this focused intention that we read Paul’s writings today – both to the church in Ephesus and his spiritual son, Timothy. Whether you are weathered by the storms of life, like Paul, or starting out on your great endeavors, like Timothy. Whether you are giving guidance to the next generation or taking the baton from the former. You can soldier on and complete your mission as a godly man, husband, father, friend, and leader – wherever you are. Read 2 Timothy 2:3-10 & 2 Timothy 4:5-8 Check Your Armory: What tends to steal your focus from fulfilling the mission God has set you on? How can you clearly distinguish what God’s mission is for you in every season and every area of your life? Where can you find the encouragement to soldier on when things get tough? What do you need to pray for today?