We are soldiers for Christ Jesus. The life of a soldier is hard. The life of a Christian is have truly surrendered your life to live for God. But it’s also a life of love and joy and peace and hope and the excitement of getting a front-row seat to watching God at work.

Suffering doesn’t have to mean being beaten or imprisoned for your faith. It can mean being left out. It can mean not sleeping much because you are up praying. It can mean Satan’s attacking thoughts. It can mean people talking unkindly about you. It can mean piles of problems and obstacles. It can mean other Christians telling you that you are wrong in your convictions because they are different from theirs.

But we press on. We soldier on. We play by the rules. We don’t try to get around the suffering. We submit to what’s asked of us as soldiers.

One thing we’re NOT to do is get “entangled in civilian pursuits.” We’re not after a good job, good house, etc. We’re not after the “American Dream.” We’re after pleasing our God.

Paul says that he is in chains, but the Word of God is not in chains. God’s Word is free. Not every believer has access to a Bible. Value your access to God’s Word and treasure it. Think about the words, as Paul instructs Timothy. Don’t just turn the page. Don’t just get a chapter read. Think about it. Ask God your questions about it.

God’s Word in you will produce God’s life in you. We are washed by His Word. Devour it. Don’t just skim through. Make it part of you.

Then you will be an honorable vessel and useful for the Master’s use. You’ll be ready for the good works He has prepared for you.

Your pursuit is the truth, but only in love.

We pursue what is good along with everyone else who calls on the Lord from a pure heart.

This isn’t our isolated pursuit. We run to win the prize, but we bring others along with us.

Lord, bring them to their senses and use us to lead them to a knowledge of the truth.