Are you on the offense or defense?

It's been very interesting this week in studying 2Tim chapter 2. We were focusing on verses 1-4. Paul tells Timothy to "suffer hardship" with him as a good soldier of Christ. First this struck me as so against our society's thinking of "no one should ever have to suffer". We avoid hard time or suffering at all cost. If trials come, we do all we can to avoid them or flee from them. Scripture does not tell us to flee or hide, it tells us to act as a soldier of Christ. What kind of soldier would I be if I was only concerned with my safety and well being all the time. Now I am not talking about going out and looking for trouble or looking for a chance to be a "martyr". But then, when did the term martyr become a bad thing?? In times past it was a honorable thing to be a martyr for the cause of Christ. I think the problem has been that the focus of the martyrdom has been transferred from Christ to us. Sometimes people want to be know for what THEY have suffered. The attention is not on Christ but on what they have done. We are so me, me, me in mentality sometimes.

As a soldier I am to expect trials and suffering and I am to still be on the offense for Christ. Attacking the enemy and not hiding in a bunker somewhere hoping to avoid hardships. I wonder about people who want to be missionaries but who also are concerned with going to places that are "safe". Paul went straight into the places he knew would be dangerous and would likely be imprisoned...even killed. I must admit, this is all very hard for me. I am a creature of comfort and like to share my faith when the "occasion so arises" out of convenience.

The world is changing and next months election could bring huge changes for our country. Severe persecution of Christians was something I only thought of in relation to other countries. My world view and home country view are starting to intertwine. I may not always feel safe in my environment but I know I am safe in the hand of my redeemer. :-)