11/13/2007
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: November 14,2007
<br><br>     “It’s the soldier, not the preacher, who gives us freedom of religion.  It’s the soldier, not the reporter, who gives us freedom of press.  It’s the soldier, not the poet, who gives us freedom of speech.  It’s the soldier, not the protestor, who gives us the freedom to assemble.  It’s the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.  It’s the soldier, not the politician, who gives us the right to vote.  It’s the soldier, who not only salutes the Flag, but serves under the Flag, who fights for the country that the Flag represents.” (copied)  <br><br>I count it a blessing to live in the “Volunteer State”.  (as a Commodore fan I might add)  This designation insinuates that Tennesseans are the first ones in line when there is a call to duty.  It gives the impression that we are ready to step up to the plate at a moments notice.  All branches of our military service are currently designated as “all volunteer”.  There are currently more than 31 countries world-wide who still require mandatory military service from its men for a certain length of time. (some include women as well)  The United States discontinued its draft in 1973.  Thus, for many like myself, going into the service became an option, not a command.  It became a choice.<br><br>The Lord’s army is no different than the army of Uncle Sam.  There is no draft imposed.  There is no mandatory length of service stipulated.  There is no war-time plea.  The Lord’s army is all volunteer.  It is only able to function through the efforts of those who are willing and able to suit up.  Much like all military branches, the Lord’s army must have leaders who are willing to lead and followers who are willing to follow....you can’t have one without the other.  Just like those who daily protect our freedoms and liberties, the members of the Lord’s army must have the same goals, be on the same page, and fight against the same enemy.  There is no strength in numbers if there is no strength in unity.  You can’t retreat and forge ahead at the same time.<br><br>I read somewhere that over 60 million people died during WWII.  Of those 60 million, more than half the fatalities were civilians.  These were folks who did not sign up to carry a weapon.  They did not choose to ride in a tank or eat MRE’s.  Even though they did not enlist, they became casualties of war.  Even though they didn‘t sign on the dotted line, they became collateral damage and were very much a part of the war whether they wanted to be or not.  In the end, they were just as dead as those who were on the front lines.  The spiritual war we are in is no different.  We are involved whether we have enlisted or not.  We are all under spiritual artillery fire from Satan.  Paul said in Ephesians 6 that we “do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”<br><br>I don’t know about you, but if I am going to have to be in a war anyway, I’m going to enlist in the service.  If I’m gonna be shot at, I at least want to be able to shoot back.  Or better yet, I want to have my General shoot back for me.  He’s a better shot than I am.<br>                            <br>Go the extra mile - Devin<br><br>