Thursday, April 23, 2020

Grunts

"Grunt: A United States Army or Marine footsoldier; one who does routine unglamorous work"
Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The most powerful, effective weapon in modern war is a well-trained, well-armed, and well-led infantry soldier. It is quite easy to get caught up in the malevolent power of technologies deadly birthlings: nuclear bombs, biological weapons, nuclear powered and armed submarines, laser-guided smart bombs, unmanned combat aircraft, not to mention the plethora of land weapons. Each of these presents a tantalizing one-click simplicity to fighting and winning wars. The side with the most sophisticated weaponry and technology should automatically win. 

From the invasion beaches of Guam in 1944 to the patrols in twenty-first century Iraqi heat, the guy with boots on the ground and a weapon in his hand almost always takes the lead in carrying out the war aims of Washington policymakers, not to mention their success or failure.

"A war is not over until the Infantry is done with it.... finished moving on foot more than the other, finished killing more than the other. And when it is all done, and the Infantryman is taken home again, some of him will remain in that place forever." - An anonymous WWII soldier. 

There is no greater evangelical weapon aside from Christ than a well-trained, well-armed, and well-led Christian.  The ministry capability that exists today due to technology is incredible. The songs, the movies, the large buildings, the podcasts, the youtube channels, the apps - all for lost if not for the Christain well-trained in scripture, well-armed with the Word, and well-led by Christ. 

2 comments:

  1. that is a GREAT observation and application from one realm to another. great insight.

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  2. ...and willing to lose everything, even our very lives, for the One we serve. Paul also made many parallels between the Christian walk and battle. "Fight the good fight", "put on the full armor", "we battle not against flesh and blood". We war with the enemy every day...We must take time to equip ourselves, to know the enemies tactics, and to have a firm confidence in our Leader!

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