Soldier, Athlete and Farmer

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.  Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.  The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.  2 Timothy 2:3-7

The Dedication of a Soldier

Soldiers war
    Expect difficulties
    Know when they are in a war
    On a mission
    War for what is theirs
    Willing to suffer
Soldiers are Soldiers
    Fight the good fight of faith
    Please Him who has enlisted him as a soldier
    Pledge allegiance
    Put on the whole armor
    Trained
    Vigilant
Soldiers expect instruction
    Follow orders
    Stay in contact with headquarters
    Trust the commander to know what He is doing

The Discipline of an Athlete
Athletes compete
    They compete to win
    They expect to win, not just finish
    They give their best
Athletes are committed
    Get sufficient rest
    Have an excellent workout routine
    Take care of themselves
Athletes know the rules
    Have a Coach
    Listen to the Coach
    The rule book
    Trust the Coach

The Diligence of a Farmer

Farmers plant
    Depend on God to help
    Expect a crop
    Patiently wait for God’s timing
    Reap
Farmers work hard
    Get up early
    Know it takes labor
    Prepare the soil
Farmers partake
    Let God change you
    Share what God has given you
    The first to partake of the crop

One thing remains in all three pictures.  The soldier is upheld by the thought of final victory.  The athlete is upheld by the vision of the crown.  The farmer is upheld by the hope of the harvest.  Each submits to the discipline and the toil for the sake of the glory which shall be.  It is so with the Christian.  The Christian struggle is not without a goal;  it is always going somewhere.  The Christian can be certain that after the effort of the Christian life, the greater the struggle, the greater the joy.