Fighting in the Shade
A quote attributed to King Leonidas in 300, the fictionalized movie account of the Battle of Thermopylae in which he leads three hundred Spartans to war against a Persian army of one million, was actually spoke by the Spartan soldier, Dienekes. In his Histories, Herodotus relates, “Although extraordinary valor was displayed by the entire corps of Spartans and Thespians, yet bravest of all was declared the Spartan Dienekes. It is said that on the eve of battle, he was told by a native of Trachis that the Persian archers were so numerous that, their arrows would block out the sun. Dienekes, however, undaunted by this prospect, remarked with a laugh, ‘Good. Then we will fight in the shade.’” You ready? Me, too.
Whether most today think that Christianity requires a warrior mentality, Paul certainly thought so. To Him, following Christ was a fight to be enjoined and a race to be won. Rejoicing was something to be done when the day was over, the dust had settled and victory was claimed. Not that victory is always in the offing; Paul considered faithfulness and bravery primary virtues. Pride was something to be felt when there was something to be proud of, and its chief residence was in the cross of Christ and the sovereignty of God. Sometimes, victory is in success, and it is, sometimes, in the warfare itself. Paul knew what it was like to fight a long defeat and be happy through it. We should learn the same lesson today.
I believe a great many Christians have never really understood that joy is not necessarily a synonym for happiness. We can see this in the flakey approach many believers have toward commitment of any kind. Often, we are more informed by the age than by the Scriptures. Believers are defined by believing, but faith is not defined by sight. As a matter of fact, Jesus said that a person who could believe without seeing was actually happier than one who insisted on empirical evidence. Such faith does not fit well with today’s emphasis on showing the money. While we have a certain faith of eternal worth, we do not have a faith that insures success and pleasantries in this life. We are often in the shade.
When it’s cloudy at my house, that doesn’t mean it’s cloudy everywhere. The work of God is succeeding around the world, and my vantage point is only one of a great multitude. The sun will shine on me in turn, but I must continue to fight rain or shine. Every soldier must understand and embrace the strategy of our Commander. Like a mighty army moves the church of God. In time, faithfulness to the cause becomes the rejoicing of and reason for the struggle rather than the surety of a particular outcome. The word and work of God does not return to Him empty, and we all have the glorious privilege of being involved in the great cause of all eternity. Small efforts in great events are worthy of song.
The most dangerous fighter can be the one with nothing to lose. Keeps him from playing it safe. And this is no world or age for playing not to lose. There’s not much time left, and time is running out for someone every day. Opportunities are passing- some never to return. The battle for righteousness will not cease, and the fight for souls will not slack. We cannot pick and choose when we will stand, testify or fight. The elements may not be hospitable, but, perhaps, it has never been so. The cause of Christ needs warriors. You and I have been summoned to the battlefront by our King. The odds may not be three hundred to one million but are, perhaps, not much better. Let Satan unleash the forces of hell. We’ll fight in the shade.
Sterl
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