Alive Parents

I had a great conversation recently with a guy who spent time as a sniper in the military.  Scripture is not normally the first thing that comes to mind when I’m talking with a sniper, but this time it did.

The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:14 to “guard the good deposit” of the Gospel of Christ in our life.  That means we must be vigilant and intentional about who we are and how we are.  To “guard the good deposit in our lives, we have to learn to think like a sniper.  

Snipers see their target from a long way off, usually before it is ever a danger to them.  Then they eliminate it without hesitation.

Snipers must focus on their target.  A successful mission requires patience and focus, which means you have to learn to be still.  Following Jesus works the same way.  Stillness doesn’t come naturally to us.  Get away from the phone, facebook, and ipod long enough to be still before God.

Snipers work as a team.  Most sniper teams have 2 people.  One is the shooter and the other is a spotter.  Christianity is a team sport.  Don’t do it alone.  Get accountability, pray for one another, learn to do life together, and celebrate one another’s successes.

Somebody, somewhere along the way, made an investment in your walk with Christ.  Whether it is was at the very beginning when you trusted Jesus for the first time, or along the way as you have learned to follow Him daily, guard what others have invested in you.