During our February session in Junction, Texas, warriors gathered from across the country, unsure of what to expect but willing to be challenged, put in the work, and to learn how to fight in a new way.
These veterans and first responders gained a clear understanding of the fight within which they find themselves and learned that living within the framework of God’s design for their lives and submitting their will and authority to the will and authority of Christ in their lives is the key strategy as they continue, in what for many of them is the fight for their lives.
Some themes brought by many of these men included trauma experienced, addiction entrenched, and suicide attempted. They had the courage to ask difficult questions, hear challenging answers, and learn that their true identity exists within the freedom of Christ, as the Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:1; “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, so stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” And as Romans 8:15 tells us, “you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out ‘Abba Father.’”
Built on this understanding, these men went home with personalized Legacy plans which they developed throughout the week, detailing the battles to fight, resources for those battles, opponents and weaknesses, and the people who will be helping them in those fights. The theme of “Never Fight Alone” was lived out in action this week as the cadre led from the front with vulnerability and authenticity and the students surrounded one another with encouragement, support, and prayer.
Eight of our 15 warriors during this session submitted their lives to Christ and with their Bibles in hand are now living out the scriptural call to “take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God,” (Ephesians 6: 17).
Our hope and our prayer for these gentlemen as they reenter their everyday lives and receive encouragement and discipleship from their after-care coordinators, is that “The God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. That you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Amen.
