I’ve heard a lot of great stories about the Navy
Seals. This elite military unit
has been celebrated in everything from comic books to blockbuster movies. This week, I read a story that I didn’t expect.
The Wall Street Journal published an
article by a former Navy Seal describing some of what it takes to survive the
grueling training required to become a Seal. The former Seal said that service of others was the key
ingredient to becoming a member of America’s elite military unit. He wrote, “Almost all the men who
survived (Seal training) possessed one common quality. Even in great pain,
faced with the test of their lives, they had the ability to step outside of
their own pain, put aside their own fear and ask: How can I help the guy next
to me? They had more than the "fist" of courage and physical strength.
They also had a heart large enough to think about others, to dedicate
themselves to a higher purpose.”
That
has an almost biblical ring to it.
Sacrifice for the sake of others trumps the “fist of courage and
physical strength.” In the Gospel
of Mark, Jesus says, “But it is not this way among
you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to
be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." For Christians, our greatest victories
come through sacrifice and service of others.
As
you go through the coming week, look for opportunities to sacrifice and serve
others. Give your spouse some time
off, doing extra things to free them up.
Help a co-worker for no other reason than to make their job easier. Volunteer to help a neighbor with a
project. Focus on – and serve –
others as a way to serve Jesus.
As you do, you will find strength for the day. And, ultimately, you will find strength in Christ.
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