In 2 Timothy 2:1-13 the apostle Paul writes to Timothy, one of Paul’s closest disciples, about being a soldier in God’s army.

What captured me about this passage is the simplicity in which Paul explains what it means to be a follower of Christ. An example, that even today we can understand, is being a soldier.

Thanks to Hollywood, films in this generation have been able to give us an up-close and personal look at being in war as well as what it might take to be a soldier. From movies like Black Hawk Down, to Saving Private Ryan, to Band of Brothers; all of these remind us of the humanity of the soldier, as well as the determination and devotion a soldier has to the cause that has been laid out before them.

As with anything, a soldiers’ faith in their mission can waver, but ultimately they signed on to follow what they were told, believing that what they are doing was all in the best interest of themselves, as well as the cause they were fighting for.

As Christians we’ve signed on for a war. Whether we wanted to or not, as Christians, we have alligned ourselves with Christ and forever pitted ourselves against Satan.

And as 2 Timothy says, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him,” we ought to set our hearts and minds on God.

All of us will not experience the same battles. In fact, we are all called to fight very different battles depending on our strengths and weaknesses. But these battles have the unique ability to refine us. Any soldier will tell you that war, the battlefield, will reveal a soldiers’ true nature. Fight or flight. When placed in a situation where you must make an immediate decision, will you choose selfish or selfless.

Much like war, the Christian walk is littered with small and big moments that refine us and reveal our true nature. God calls us to live not for ourselves, but for Him and His glory.