“We have to be in a formation or we’re vulnerable. When you’re out by yourself, you’re just not smart enough to outwit the enemy and you don’t know your own weaknesses.”
Chaplain John Morris has served with the armed forces since 1984. He’s seen men and women come and go in the army, and in the church, and he draws several important parallels between both walks of life.
“Army is a team sport.”
We tend to forget the importance of teamwork. The American spirit is one of individualism, and that has bled into the church’s way of thinking. When a believer lives out their faith away from others they’re easy prey for the enemy. John calls us to humble ourselves and seek out other believers for our own protection.
“You do need to be in a formation. When you’re in a formation, there’s more support, there’s more strength, and there’s more motivation.”
We often insist on going our own way without the opinions and influences of others – but that can have drastic consequences. In the army, being out of formation for an extended period of time means you are sent home. We need to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling we’ve received,” as Ephesians 4:1 says.
In military life, humility and character are keystones of daily training. John encourages us to take that into our personal faith as well. The Christian life is too important to be driven by pride. We can train ourselves to stay in formation, seek God’s direction, and follow His promptings.
“It takes a while before any human being internalizes habits. Something as simple as doing a daily devotional can be a struggle our whole lives. It’s a discipline; discipline is never easy. It’s habitual.”
Key Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6
Featured Songs: On Our Side by Lincoln Brewster; More Than Conquerors by Steven Curtis Chapman; I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin
