Never give up the fight

Friday I called an audible and took PTO for the afternoon. I had been eagerly awaiting the movie adaptation of the book, Lone Survivor. Having already read the book on the recommendation of a coworker who served on an AC-130H Spectre gunship in Afghanistan I knew I wanted to see the movie, specifically in the theater.

Most reviews assert the movie lacks a connection--it demonstrates monumental heroics, but fails to provide justification. I agree on the premise of Curse of Knowledge. The movie does not relay all the context provided by the book. That said, I value the movie as I value a presentation based on a report. (See Nancy Duarte's graphic and table to make sense of this statement.)

With that sidestep taken I will now concentrate on the main point of my post.

"Never give up the fight" Matthew Axelson. 

The closest I came to serving in the military was a failed trip to enlistment testing. At the age of 17, the Arizona Army National Guard flew me from Prescott to Phoenix where I bunked in a hotel room with a Navajo brother who intended to re-enlist. The following morning found all of us candidates at the test facility. I asked the man in charge if there was time to use the bathroom. He said "sure"--he meant "no." I came out of the bathroom to a test in progress behind a locked door. I was informed that I would have to come back at a later date. That was eye opening. 

Since that time I have periodically wrestled with my sense of duty--to serve alongside others and to stand against evil. Idealistic, I know. This of course does not necessarily require a soldier's uniform. I recall Saving Private Ryan. 

James Ryan: "Tell me I have led a good life."

Ryan's Wife: "What?"

James Ryan: "Tell me I'm a good man."

So, how do I fulfill my sense of duty as a civilian? I fight against apathy and mediocrity in my life. Does that mean I done gray sweats and do PT daily till I puke. Probably not. Rather, I discipline myself to engage relationships in a Godly manner. To quote Timothy Keller, "God calls us into three great relationships: with the earth, with all the people on earth, and with himself, the Lord of the Earth." (Sermon: Lord Of The Earth) Ecology, justice, and Grace as Keller puts it. That is a tall order isn't it? Keller acknowledges this, he gives the only sustainable driver for such a call: the awe (and love) of God. 

The fight takes place in the moments that make up the day. Greeting my child who stands groggy-eyed at my bedside. Cooking to order on a Saturday morning. Entertaining those seemingly pointless conversations. Providing meaningful correction. Being an example by committing to study and prayer. Etc. etc.--it all adds up. Without seeing my children as creations of God, as an example, I will likely be wore down by the sum of these moments. The fight is won when I focus on my awe and love of God.