Jordan

I have known Jordan since he was about 12.  He is now 24 and recently discharged from the Army.  Jordan was one of the kids in the church youth group I volunteered for. I was disappointed when Jordan told me he was gonna enlist in the Army.  He was a brilliant kid, very mature and had so many other options before him. I didn't just blurt out my opinion to Jordan.  I truly asked Holy Spirit for permission to speak my mind before I opened my mouth.  Jordan and I talked about it and that was the extent of it.  He felt lead by God to join and who was I to argue with him and Jesus.                                                                                                                Jordan eventually entered Ranger school.  He has told me that the prayers of others is what helped him get through the grueling training. Jordan would also asked for prayer when he went through Jump School.  I was often led to pray for Jordan's Spiritual training.  In fact, during this time of his service I was most concerned about his Spiritual growth.

When Jordan was about to be deployed, he would give a call and we would chat and pray.  During these times, I was sometimes conflicted as how I should pray.  After all, if I was praying for Jordan's safety, it meant that I was essentially praying for someone else to die. It seemed kinda odd to pray for Jordan to excel at his job because it meant I was praying for someone else to die. 

In no way did I want Jordan or any of his fellow soldiers to get hurt or killed.  But at the same time, there were people that would cross Jordan's path that would get hurt or killed.  And more than likely these people did not know the Saving Grace of Jesus.

I am proud of the man Jordan is and the accomplishments of his young life.  I am excited to see how Jesus uses this man to advance the Kingdom.  I love the Brother and I am thankful that he took on a duty that I know I could not have and would not have done.  I am thankful for the sacrifices all the soldiers and their families have made for the United States.  But I still have no answers for certain questions:

• How do some people feel led by Jesus to kill in the name of their country and others do not? 
• Is it responsible of me to pray for some one's safety and their ability as a soldier, knowing that someone is going to die at the hands of the person I am asking God to bless?  
• What is the difference between two people defending their warring countries?

I have no real conclusion to this entry, because I can't wrap my mind around this topic. I also am not really seeking answers to these questions. Jordan and no one else for that matter, owes me an explanation for their sense of duty towards their country.  And Jordan nor anyone else, will answer to me on Judgment Day. I put my trust and my understanding in God and His Word when it comes to the questions I have no definite answers for.

Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.  They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Romans 2.14-16