Here is a reflection on the importance of rejoicing in God’s providential care from a Lutheran Army chaplain serving in Afghanistan
Though we often do not see it, our rebellion against God incorporates numbers. We take comfort in them instead of receiving comfort from our Creator. This is especially true for the soldier at war. We count the days—days passed and days to go. We think if we can outlast the number of days a deployment requires of us—451 at the beginning of this deployment—then we will be just fine. In our own minds the battle is not with our sinful nature, the world, and the devil. Rather it is with the calendar. I too am guilty of this. I play number games in my own head instead of giving thanks to the Creator of the day.
We take comfort in time that has passed rather than giving thanks for what has been. Many of us at war are ever grateful each night as we lay down our heads to rest that one more day has come to its completion. Our heart is not on gratitude for the blessings of the day. Often we do give thanks for our daily bread and the fact that we are still alive and well—things that deal with our own personal welfare. This is good and right, but incomplete. Rarely do we end the day thanking God for the blessings of good friends and all the other things for which we ought to give thanks. I often find myself telling soldiers that they should not wish away any day of their lives. I too need to live by this.
