On Easter, there was incredible act of bravery that few will hear of. There was a gun battle that was going on and an 18 y/o member of the infantry was shot in the shoulder. He was wounded and pinned down. His lieutenant saw that was one his men was trapped and injured. The natural reaction for most would be to run and protect yourself, being thankful that you were not injured. However, there is a much honored concept in the military and that is, “We leave no man behind.” It is not always possible; but, it is not just a lofty ideal. It is considered to be part of one’s duty. The lieutenant knew his duty. This man was one of his and as an officer; it was his responsibility to keep his men safe. It is also the officer’s duty to call the family if one of their men is injured or killed. This lieutenant ran to his injured soldier to help get him to the medevac helicopter which was already on the way. As he ran to his man, he was shot many times. Now the lieutenant was much more injured than the soldier under his charge. Now it was the soldier’s duty to get the lieutenant help. The medevac helicopter landed and with help from many others they were able to get the lieutenant and his soldier on the helicopter. On the short ride to our hospital the lieutenant’s heart stopped on the helicopter. When it landed the medic was actively doing CPR. The rest of the story comes from a nurse I work with as she was a witness. The first litter had the dying lieutenant with the medic on the litter doing CPR. The second litter off the helicopter had the soldier who had been shot in the shoulder, blood flowing from his shoulder. They both had done their duty. The lieutenant died. The nurse cried with the chaplain as they watched this event transpire.

This event is filled with tragedy, bravery, honor, and dedication to duty. As I think about the actions of the lieutenant I am reminded about the difference between our calling and our duty. I see our calling as the purpose of our life and the duties we have are those activities that allow us to accomplish our purpose. The idea of a purpose to a life is why I think “The purpose driven life” was such a popular book. People like to feel there is some purpose to their life. The lieutenant was called to serve his country, which was his purpose. He died while performing the duty of his calling. The purpose of a soldier is not to die; however, he may die while performing his duties.

I believe we all have a calling or a purpose. It is the path that God calls us to walk. Our unique “calling” has wonderful attributes of servant-hood, sacrifice, charity, and generosity. Our duty is what is required to carry out our calling. I often see people who have mistakenly thought that their day to day duties were their calling. I believe God desires much more from us. The people who consider their duties their calling are often frustrated. I think of the stay at home mom, the father who works very hard to support his family and does little else with his extra time besides bowling and watching sports on TV, the retired couple, or the young college student all who may feel unfulfilled. The matron, who cares for our orphans in Zambia, has a calling to care for orphans. The changing of the diapers, washing the endless clothes or feeding the infants is not a very glamorous duty and what keeps it from becoming an arduous task is that it is associated with a calling of service. I frequently hear of families that say that their calling is to their family and use this as an excuse why they cannot serve more. I would say that our responsibility to our families is an expected duty given to us from God. There are many who raise their families in addition to also serving on the mission field, feed homeless, or find some other way to serve, sacrifice, give, or comfort those in need. I know of a couple from medical school. He is a family practice doctor and she is a stay at home mom with four children. Shortly after finishing his residency they took their family to Kazakstan. They have a clinic for the poor, lead Muslim doctors to Christ and the wife has a great ministry to the local women. They are currently being threatened for their bold faith but remain strong and committed to their call. Often the fear of duty keeps people from their call and God is a gentleman. He does not force people to follow Him, love Him, or serve Him.
I am encouraged by how many families make sending encouraging notes to soldiers a part of their family activities. In the US it is easy for us to get caught up in lessons, sports, and activities with our children, but how many of those activities will bear any eternal fruit in the orchard God has given us to sow and reap from. I have become very sensitized to how meaningless many of our activities are that take up so much of our time. How much of what we do will last past the judgment seat of Christ, into eternity. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 and “Each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
I wonder how much time in Christian homes was spent this Easter on coloring eggs, making baskets, hiding and finding eggs, getting pictures with the Easter bunny. I wonder in the same homes how much time was spent talking about the true meaning of Easter besides that which was discussed in church. Jesus has called us to be servants and what is meant by that is this; we are to be servants to others not to ourselves.

What is your calling? If your call is clear, the obstacles of your duties are to be expected and overcome by God’s grace. He uses these to refine us. We are put in positions of trust where we have no where to turn except God. That is where He wants us. He wants our problems to be bigger than what we can solve so we can grow in our faith and find Him faithful. “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Daily I am reminded how precious and fleeting life can be as I see how weak skin, flesh and bones are compared to the power of gun powder. Everyday, not knowing the length of my days, I must ask my self, “Am I following my calling or just doing my duty?”

Solis Deo Gloria

More thoughts to come