Army and Family
Mark* shook his head slowly as he finished recounting a story of a time he had narrowly escaped death while on duty in Iraq. “My buddies saved me. They could have died rescuing me, but that did not stop them.” Mark was a former student and I was happy to see him in a local store where he shared some of his military experiences with me.
“I love my family here, and they mean the world to me. But when you get into a combat situation, your fellow soldiers are even closer than flesh and blood to you. We went to battle together. I had absolute trust that because we were all going after the same objective, I could trust them with all I have, including my life. We worked together so well. I know I was a smart aleck sometimes in your class, but out there, where your enemies are always trying to kill you, you have to work together without question or you will die. And if you die, then your mission dies.”
While we are a family in Aglow, it is important as leaders** to also realize we are a family who works together as an army. It is a new level of faith to look at those who serve with you and realize that they also go to battle with you. Your unity and teamwork have to be so tight and seamless that you move as one.
Moving as one comes from studying the battle plan together (God’s Word), from sitting together to hear the Commander’s voice (receiving the assignment), and lastly, making plans to carry out the assignment. We have ground to take in our community, and while the enemy forces try to oppose us, we are fearless and unstoppable because of our strength as an army who fights from a place of faith and unity.
When Graham Cooke taught the six expressions of being the Church in 2014, he was bringing the next expression of our identity in Aglow. In the work of the Kingdom, we are both the Household of God – caring, loving, and supporting people, and we are a disciplined army called to establish Kingdom communities on earth by waging war against the enemy, overcoming every obstacle, and taking new territory while keeping what we have taken. At different times, we will also display the other four expressions.
When God unplugged us from our fruitful past in 2003 and rewired us for greater, future adventures, He began a very intentional development process by opening our eyes to see how we are really known in Heaven. While it is imperative to know our corporate identity, it is important at the grassroots level of Aglow to be known by your personal identity as well. Together, the two form a powerful picture of the Kingdom of God at work in each community who know how to bring Biblical principles into the crises facing society in the 21st Century.
Aglow International is a community of people who are on the move. We will not abandon family in favor of army; however, in this season, we must pay attention to being the Army of God by upgrading our relationships and friendships so that we are more businesslike and business minded in our communities. It is not business as usual! The stakes are higher and God has placed us strategically for such a time as this.
I Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
