Soldierly Desire
Category: General
"No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs- he wants to please his commanding officer."
2 Timothy 2:4
The soldier in this verse is, first of all, "serving". He is a servant- not a commander. He has a submissive, humble, corporate and ordinary role. Second of all- he wants to please his commander. It doesn't say he always succeeds, or that he simply works hard to please- but it says that he wants to. It's speaking here of a heart condition. The verse is dealing with the soldier's desires- not necessarily his actions first and foremost. What is implied is that his desires (wants) inspire his actions- or in this case- his inactions. Since his greatest desire is to please someone else (namely, to obey the wishes of his superior) he will stay focused on his leader's commands and will refrain from actions outside of his leader's will.
Thus, the soldier does not tire himself by simply going about the drudgery of obedience- instead, he follows a heart that has been captured by an upward call of duty. God is pictured here as a commanding officer inspiring his soldiers to joyful, selfless service. This is always the case with good leaders. They do not rule with cold eyes and an iron first of discipline and duty- good leaders inspire obedience. Just as God's kindness leads us to repentance- His love and valor lead us to follow Him and to abandon all other pursuits...
...because we want to.
I believe this verse speaks just as much to leaders as it does to followers.
I believe this verse speaks just as much to leaders as it does to followers.
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