Preparation

Preparation is more difficult than the actual mission. In preparation for Kosovo we started with going back to the basic soldier skills. We were evaluated for the tasks we did in Basic Training 25 years ago. It was a message that no matter how long you have served, no matter what the rank and no matter where you go, you will always need to be trained in basic soldier skills-even if you do not expect to use them.

Why? It is because the mission can change in an instant. You can be called upon to deploy to a place that will require you to use unlikely to be needed soldier skills.

* Lesson: Every Christian needs to go back and train up on their basic spiritual discipline skills. Prayer, Bible study, stewardship, serving, worship, and identify those things that hinder their journey to Christ-likeness or holiness.

Meanwhile, the second hurdle of preparation is to become integrated into the system and know who does what and where to find your answers. You will be tested by those who see you as an outsider. As an outsider you must not allow the façade of a person’s protection mode to keep you from confronting and breaking down the barrier. Remember breaking down the barrier does not require force. It requires character, courage and divine guidance. You must prove yourself and be above reproach.


* Lesson: Don’t let a personality determine your view of what a person is like on the inside. It is difficult. But some of the most difficult people have become some of my friends when I pursued, confronted and got beyond the protection mode.