Summer Soldiers and Part Time Patriots

The Summer Soldiers and Part Time Patriots have been called to active duty once again.  It’s Facebook duty but that’s where part-time patriots love to gather these days.

Now is the time for these part-time patriots to blame, renounce things over which we have no control, share trending thoughts and images, and make empty calls to action.  In a few months, their motivation will have given way to Forrest Gump memes and college football banter.

But amidst the trending fray of online boasts and battlefields of belittlement, I wish to say a word for the faithful servant.  This is the man or woman who starts and ends the day serving the Lord.  His or her actions often go unnoticed by many, but the Lord sees not only their deeds but their hearts.

My desire is to send them a note of encouragement as their selflessness is overlooked by the grandstanding of many with motivations unknown.  My prayer is that they are not swept up in the movement of the day, but continue the good deeds that God planned for them before the creation of the world.

My encouragement may seem out of step with the times but I offer it nonetheless.  Some will perceive it as working against their cause of the month.  Though the cause may be valid, some have been engaged in loving their neighbors long before the school shooting, public brutality and murder, or turning a blind eye to the lawlessness of many took center stage for a time.

Some pick up their cross daily and seek to serve the Lord by putting his words into practice as his faithful servants.  To them, I say well done in advance of the one Jesus has in store for them, and press on towards the goal.  They are not driven by fear, guilt, or the emotion of the day.

They serve in response to the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord.  Their tasks are always before them and they need not wonder if they have made a difference.  They bring glory to God and seek neither glory nor fame for their actions.

These are people who know their Master’s voice and do not listen to the voices of the world.

These are the people who awaken each day wondering what will they do with what God  gave them?  They see  their blessings and manifest the desire to bless others.

These are people who take the things that God has given them and put them to work at once.

These are people of purpose.  They are living their God-given purpose.

The summer soldier is wondering if anyone liked his post.  I have always loved Roosevelt’s Man in the Arena.  These are people who dive into the fray of the world with God-given purpose knowing they will be ridiculed.  These people see the promised hope and future for those who seek God.  They have battled for the Lord knowing that it is truly God who fights for his people.  These people will bring love-centered change.

They are not influenced by the flavor of the month.  They know fear and move past it with power, love, and a sound mind.

They are men and women of purpose not because of what trends in the world but in spite of it.  They are God’s faithful servants.  They are all around you.  Don’t be blind.  See them.  Encourage them. Pray for them.

Join them in bringing glory to God.