A Life Worth Giving

I noticed the kid was dressed in a Junior ROTC uniform and I remembered they had that every Wednesday. I was subbing in World History that day and he sat there beaming at his desk.

“Hello, Miss!” He exclaimed smiling a little too broadly.

“Hello, Chris. That’s your name, right?

“Right!”

“So what branch of the military do you want to be in?” I asked.

“The Army, Miss. But not just the regular Army: the Special Ops. I want to be a trained assassin.”

“A trained assassin?” I asked. “What’s involved with that?”

“Oh, Miss, listen! I want to be the one that goes right into the heat of battle and kills lots of bad guys.”

“You want to risk your life that way?” I was surprised at the goals of this 15 year old boy.

“Yes, Miss. Of course I do.”

“You don’t want a safer job behind the lines somewhere?”

“No, Miss. That’s why I’m signing up as soon as I’m outta high school. I want to blow up people.”

“Really??” I asked.

“Really. I want to get into a group of bad terrorists secretly and yell out: “Okay, you bad guys! In the name of the United States of America, you are done! And then I push a button and blow us all away.”

“You’d blow yourself away too?”

“Yes, Miss! Of course I would. It would be so cool.” He smile got even broader.

“That’s patriotic of you.” I said. I couldn’t help but be challenged by his youthful expression of exuberance. I could see he really loved his country.

I wondered then if I could do that too for Christ. Would I give Him my all and then go and prove it? Give up everything for Him even my physical existence?

We then studied our lessons about the Reformers and the Reformation and how they, too, gave it their all and some gave their very lives for the cause of Christ.

Jesus said that’s what was required of His disciples. This kid shamed me that day into thinking about it and he was right. What else was there to live for? Why would any of us want to live behind enemy lines instead of confronting the enemy? Why would any of us hold back from giving Our King our all?

I still read this Bible verse even now and my backbone straightens. I remember that we are but dust and everything we own is but dust. Do we want to continue living like cowards and sissies or do we want to do valiant deeds for the Kingdom; a Kingdom that would never end?

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matt 10:39

Lord, thank you for this reminder and rebuke. Please give me the grace to live –and be ready to die- for You every day!