This past year our family seems to have had a “battle” theme. No, we’ve not been fighting a lot among ourselves. I have two junior high boys who are at the age where “battle” is intriguing. Plus my older son & I had the privilege of visiting Washington DC & the surrounding area, which is built around the battles of our nation’s past. Since that trip we’ve spent some time together watching such shows as John Adams, Gettysburg and Band of Brothers. And he wanted to spend time with my Dad to ask him about his time in Vietnam & other things to do with his 20 year career in the Navy.
We’ve also, as a family, encountered spiritual battles this year as never before. We have fought hard and learned so much as we’ve very imperfectly walked through a year we never saw coming. It has been both brutal and beautiful. Or, as Ed Young calls it, “brutiful” (I love that word!). We are believing that God is preparing us for something wonderful in our time ahead.
One thing that has jumped out at me in every show or story I’ve seen about battle this past year – the time after the battle when it is still, quiet and calm. This is the silence of battle. As I watch the shows, the soldiers are typically quiet with a somewhat blank expression on their face. But in their quietness, their stillness and their expressionless faces, there is great emotion. The battle is over, but there is still much happening.
A couple days ago I was doing some yard work, thinking about many things and enjoying the San Diego sunshine. Suddenly I heard the silence. I felt the breeze on my face. I noticed the birds flitting from tree to tree. And I had an overwhelming sense that “the battle is over”. I don’t really know what that means in the bigger picture, but I sensed a completion in our current spiritual battle. Like those soldiers, I sat quietly for a few moments, simply taking it all in but filled with emotion.
As I thought, I began to realize that in the midst of emotion and this silence of battle can be a time for many good things, including:
- Resting. Battle is hard and fighting is exhausting. On the battlefields of war men must find time to rest. In our spiritual battlefields – be it our outward ministry or inward personal walk – we must also rest. Jesus set a great example of making rest a priority. There is a time for it, and during the silence of battle is one of those times.
- Gratitude. In the shows, you can sense of feeling of gratitude in those who survived. As they care for fallen comrades, you sense gratitude for the fight they gave for each other. Gratitude is important in our daily lives, our spiritual battles, for regardless of the outcome we can be assured that others stand with us and that our cause is just. We must be grateful for those who stand with us in the battle, and for the One for whom we fight to honor.
- Reflection. What did we learn in the battle? What took place that will change the future forever? How do we hang on to the good and apply it in our days ahead? We must not waste the lessons of battle but, rather, take time to think and learn from them in order to continue the good fight and help others, as well.
- Praise. Almost without exception there is praise for those who fought well. A nod of the head. A pat on the back. A medal pinned on their uniform. As believers, encouragement is vital. We do not always know what our brother & sister has endured. We do not know the loneliness, pain or hurt they live with. So we must be quick to encourage and slow to discourage.
- Assistance. Men are wounded in battle. Major or minor, they need help. In the shows you see men quick to assist those with whom they fight alongside. Though they do not always know the best ways to assist, they are willing. We too, as those entrenched in the battle, must not only encourage with our words but assist with our actions. We may not always understand how, but we must be willing.
The war may not be over – more battles lie ahead – but when one ends and the silence of battle descends, it can be a “brutiful” time. Instead of rushing through it, take time to maximize it, savoring the moment and seeking ways to capitalize on your experience.
