Moment by Moment

John flattened himself in the trench as much as he could. His unit had been attacked on all sides for days now, and he was weary. So, so weary. He closed his eyes, wishing he could just escape the battle for a moment—just one. To rest at home in his own bed without the bullets whizzing by for a little…ah, that would be so fabulous!

Instead, he reloaded his gun with a fresh round. It didn’t look as if they’d have a respite for some time still. He wasn’t sure how he could make it much longer.

John looked around him. His fellow soldiers were all weary too. It had been a long couple of weeks. (Or had it been months? He’d lost track.)

“A little weary, there, are we?” John turned in the direction of the voice. It came from a friend serving in another battalion—Andrew by name.

John nodded in answer.

“Cheer up, it will end,” Andrew said confidently as he reloaded his gun.

“Easier said than done,” John replied.

“I know it. But we’ve got to remember the truth. We’re not alone here. See the Captain’s standard over yonder? He’s here with us, even when the smoke of the battle makes it hard to see anything. He’s leading.”

“But where? Where is he going? How much longer will we have to endure this continual fire? I don’t think I can make it much more.”

“Well, good news. The Captain knows what we don’t. We’re to just keep looking to him and living moment by moment, leaving the rest to him. Now honestly, did you ever think you could make it this far?”

John shook his head. If he’d known the battle would be this intense for this long, he would have thought it impossible to survive.

“You’ve only got strength for right now. Leave tomorrow in the Captain’s care. Come on, I’ll help you back to your feet. There’s a battle to fight.”

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18