A Soldier's Lent

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Soldiers who have seen combat have no problem remembering their mortality. They've seen it with their eyes, touched it with their hands and inhaled it into their nostrils. For those in a combat zone, every day is Ash Wednesday; the dirt on their faces is real and not a ceremonial embellishment. Those driving daily through the streets of Atlanta or the highways of Kansas can maintain their illusions of immortality; those driving the streets of Baghdad or the highways or Al Anbar province cannot.

Soldiers don't need reminding that they live in the valley of the shadow of death. What they need is the confidence to walk through the valley to the other side, not paralyzed by fear but armed with courage to accomplish life's tasks. The author of Hebrews shows us the way:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne. Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up. (Hebrews 12:2-3 GNB)

In Lent, then, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus - on his passion, death and resurrection. He's been where we are going and knows the way through to safety and victory in the kingdom of God.

Soldiers know how to follow those who lead from the front. We know that the most basic form of leadership is to say, "Follow me." That's what our Lord does. He paves our way and shares our risks. He's faced every obstacle that we face and defeated it. We can draw on his courage and confidence as we remember his story. We have his promise that all who follow in his path will make it through to the other side of the valley of death, and we can trust him with our lives.

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