THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER -- FALL 2025

          It had been a rough day. I felt the anxiety of the unanswered "when's" and "how's". I had confidence in God to provide, to direct and to order my steps. But not being able to see what He was doing had muddled my thinking. Caused doubt and worry, to add to the brokenness that was slowly creeping in.

          As I drove that evening, I stopped and parked my car by a lake that I pass on the way home. It is beautiful. Peaceful. Everything I wanted my life to be. I turned the music down, and just looked at God's creation. It was perfectly lovely. I had asked Him so many times for clarity and wisdom that I felt I was burdening Him by repeating myself yet again. So as a single tear fell from my eye, I simply whispered His name. Jesus.

          I sat for a moment and when I opened my eyes, I saw a small black bird out the window. As I looked closer, I saw on its wings an iridescent blue and green, sparkling in the sunlight. Then a movement caught my eye, and in my rear view mirror I saw a bunny. Lazily enjoying snacking on the grass. Neither had a care in the world. They were just being who God created them to be. Doing what they knew to do. Living the life they knew how to live.

 

As I watched the peaceful scene, scriptures came to my mind...

 

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

Luke 12:27‭-‬28 NLT

 

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:   For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Matthew 7:7‭-‬8 KJV

 

          God's creation is so intricate. He spoke and the entire world came to be. He didn't just speak a little black bird. He spoke with imagination to allow color to give it beauty. He spoke beautiful flowers, of all colors and variety. He spoke water and trees and hopping bunnies. He simply spoke.

          That same God is the one who calls you His masterpiece. He created you with such love. Why would we choose to think God could speak into existence the beauty in this world, and not shape you into something beautiful for His glory. Yes, there may be times you feel some insecurities. Even if things are going well. Human thinking often allows fear, and dread to cloud positive thinking. But God has not changed. He so carefully spoke the world to life, and everyday He carefully speaks love and beauty into you.

          God gives us permission to come to Him, with even what we consider are small things. He really does want to hear about everything. He wants to talk with you, and be the one you turn to for everything. He wants your praise. He wants your tears. He wants your heart, both when it's broken and overflowing with joy. He wants your questions. He wants your love.

          There are times we have to filter out the uncertain thoughts. They come as a result of many things, past experiences, past failures, past hurts. Current pressures or questions of self worth. Even fear and doubt play a role. They make you human. But God has freely given us His spirit, to guide our thinking and bring clarity when flesh tries to darken our minds. He brings joy through others, to remind and reassure us of who we are.

          If you are in a situation where you have no other choice by it to trust God, then remember the lilies. Remember that His eye is on the sparrow. How much more does He want to be miraculous in your life? When you have nowhere else to turn, no other options left, then simply be. Be who God has called you to be. Encourage others when encouragement is the very thing you are craving from others. Minister to the hurting when you yourself are broken. Open your heart to bless others. Cry out to God for the needs you know are in your family and friends lives. Love when you don't feel that you can. And let God take the mess that life has thrown at you and build His beautiful masterpiece. He IS in control, because God still speaks. His words formed the world in all its perfection. He is still God and is working it out. Just be.