Sabbath Thought - Those Who Make It

Simon Sinek is a well-known public speaker, and I watched a recent video of his in which he covered thoughts from a Navy Seal veteran about what type of person graduates as a Navy Seal. (You can find the video here: (3) only thesse types of people become navy seals - YouTube)  Mr. Sinek asked the Seal, "What type of man makes the team?"  The Seal replied, "I can't tell you who will make it, but I can tell you who doesn't."  He went on to elaborate that it is not the star college athlete who has never been tested to the core of their being.  It is not the preening leaders who like to delegate.  It is not the tough guy with all the muscles covered in tattoos and wants to prove to everyone how tough they are.

The seal went on to say, that it is usually the man who is skinny and scrawny, shivering in fear.  He added that everyone who makes it through - when they are emotionally exhausted, when they are physically exhausted -somehow is able to dig down deep and find the energy to help the person next to them.  Mr. Sinek summarized that service - the giving to another, having their back - is what makes possible the highest performing team in the word.  It is not their strength, not their intelligence, but their willingness to be there for each other.

The Navy Seals are a worldly, elite military group.  They serve to further the military goals of the U.S.A.  They kill people and blow things up.  And yet in their worldly service they have figured out a spiritual principle.  A group is better collectively when their efforts are based on service and sacrifice for those on their team.

Do we, as the Church of God, have even half the commitment to those principles?  We should be even more committed to them than men serving a carnal purpose.  "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another," (Galatians 5:13, NKJV).  The Greek word translated "serve" in this verse is "douleuo" (dool-yoo'-o) and means "to be a slave" (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily).   A few Greek synonyms for douleuo are diakonos (deacon, minister, servant), huperetes (a subordinate, officer, minister, servant), and oiketes (a household slave/servant), therapon (an attendant).

Serving someone else means putting their needs before ours.  Serving someone else takes a sacrifice on our part in order to make the "team" better for it.  It means serving someone else so they can serve better and helps to create a positive loop that benefits all involved.  Serving others can involve helping to carry a burden (Galatians 6:2).   This is the love spoken of by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13.  Serving the "team" reflects the service Christ gave in paying the ransom for us (Mark 10:43-45) and sets the example we are following in serving others.

We were not called by God to see if we won't make the team.  We were called by God to reflect Him in serving others.  We are called to be those who "make it".

I wish you a spiritually rewarding Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

16 September, 2022