Navy Seals

There has been a lot of talk this past week about Navy Seals and the outstanding job they did in their confrontational mission within the compound of Osama Bin Ladin. Though we will never know the names of the actual soldiers, we will forever remember their courageous efforts and the peace of mind that resulted from "taking out" our nations number one terrorist enemy. This was the mastermind who wreaked havoc on our country, devastated thousands of families, destroyed billions of dollars of property, and sent a nation reeling in frustration, fear and anger. His fate was "Sealed". (That was my favorite line of the week!) We are coming up on the tenth anniversary of that terrible day in history and we will remember that day forever, for that day changed us as a nation, and opened our eyes to a hell bent enemy of evil. The battle was on....

And through the daily media deluge of information the Navy Seals seem to continue to stick our in my mind. For they were the ones who had to carry out the mission in quiet, deliberate, confident, trained and submissive obedience. Former Seals have been interviewed and upon each interview that I have seen I have been impressed by their position, their respect to our country, the way they each carried themselves and how they spoke of honor and pride and mission.

As I have stayed fairly tuned into the news stations over this past week, just intrigued and interested in the details of the raid, the Seals keep coming to mind. What is it about them that makes them so exceptionally equipped to handle a covert operation such as this one so successfully?
I have come to several conclusions that you too, I am sure, have already realized if you have followed this story at all:

1) They are focused
2) They are trained
3) They are dedicated
4) They are motivated
5) They are driven
6) They are challenged
7) They are courageous
8) They are pursuing a greater good
9) They are obedient
10) They are consistent

Just looking at these, compare them a moment to your own life. I have compared them to mine and quite frankly I am not naturally wired for any of these qualifications. Sure, I have got a few of those traits in me but I am no where near being consistent and disciplined with any of them. I too many times am sidetracked or diverted or distracted to plow head on into what God has placed before me. It is much easier to sidestep it...and move on to a more comfortable path of least resistance. Desire, motivation to be trained and the discipline to accomplish the mission that God has set on my path, has to begin with my initiative to accept God's nudge. But I, many times, am too lazy and seeped in comfort to pursue the dedication that it requires.

I regard these Seals with a genuine respect for who they are, what they have accomplished, and an appreciation for how they have allowed their minds and bodies to be molded and transformed accordingly. Training is effective, as proven in action and performance. It is that way with any of us who contemplate and pursue a trained mindset, play it out in physical repetition and stay focused on that which is a worthy mission in the eyes of God, for His will.

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

I can't help but wonder how God falls into the "Seals" everyday thread of rehearsal, response, reference and reason. I feel like God, though unstated, must be the true power and confidence behind their thinking and their performance. For he is the one who has wired them and given them the courage to follow their motivated desires. God has generated and excelled the energy within their very souls to fight for a cause that promotes good over evil. Maybe he is personally recognized, maybe he is not, but I am convinced that he is the silent power that becomes the ultimate force of victory.

My life and job responsibilities, though many are credible in God's eyes, seem to land many notches down in the way of a ladder of resistance and sacrifice from these seals. These are men of integrity and honor....sold out to a life style of obedience and discipline. And the only way I can possible relate to them is this: We all have challenges that are laid before us. We all are placed in the wake of combat; maybe not as defined as these men, are but we have our own battles. Battles of health, grief, relationships, financial balancing, raising children and having children, employer and employee juggles, maintaining physical, mental and spiritual balance etc.

Just as the Seals are taught and trained to use their given weapons for posture, defense, strategy and protection, we too have been given weapons to fortify our stand. They may not seem to be battle bound and braced but everyday they have been given to us for our use in our battles. But we must be trained in order for them to be effective in combat. Words of truth, bound promises, power, wisdom, discernment and an overriding faith that promotes courage and confidence, are all weapons from a victorious God who is the ultimate warrior who helps us to fight our battles and as he fights for our souls.

If I too want to maintain a stand of integrity and honor, I must be willing to quietly adhere to Christ's rules of engagement: Seek his will, serve his purposes, obey his calls, and honor his name. The battle that I am fighting may surely be different from the one you are fighting, but our weapons remain the same, as is our commander. If we consistently and methodically pursue the traits (as noted above in describing the seals) of a trained warrior, and we submit to the direction of Christ, we too will be victorious in our battles. We may not know his strategy, but we, in faith, must trust in his ways.

I am not only impressed by the traits and tactics that these trained Seals have displayed, but am also grateful and encouraged by these men of honor. They carried out orders and pursued a mission that further secured the nation that they are committed to serve. May I also be committed and disciplined in my battles as I use my weapons, to serve my God in a way that would honor him, and carry out his purposes.

Dear Lord, You bring forth people to our front who display a character of integrity and grit and help us to see what training and a sincere driven motivation can and does accomplish. Help me to have the desire to achieve the purposes that you have designated for my life. Train me, and discipline me so that I can honor you as these brave men have honored our country. And Lord, thank you for their safety...please continue to hold all our our servicemen and women in your hands as they fight to protect our freedom, preserve our nation, and secure our safety Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!