The Battle Field

Many Christians are eager to answer the call to be soldiers for Christ; they are ready and willing. However, the problem is that many believe this calling is something that only happens within the church. Serving at church or going on a mission trip may be part of it, but it’s not the full picture of what God intended when He enlisted us as soldiers.

The church serves as our command post—where we are trained, rebuked, strengthened, and prepared for battle. But the real battle is fought in the world—in our everyday lives. It happens with the people around us—our families, friends, neighbors, coworkers—and in whatever activities we’re involved in. The mission is not limited to a church setting; it is wherever we are, right in the world, right where God has placed us.

We should be training ourselves so that, wherever we are, we are ready to be God’s light and salt. In every situation and at every moment, we are called to reflect His presence. Each moment in our lives is a test of whether we will be faithful or faithless.

Sadly, the church has often failed to address this issue. It has compartmentalized God’s call to live as soldiers, separating it from people’s everyday lives. I once suggested to a church worker that we serve a community on a weekday, and she responded by saying we couldn’t because "people have lives." While I understand that people must work and attend to daily responsibilities, we cannot separate those from the life God has called us to live. Our life is meant to be lived for God, and those everyday tasks are an integral part of that calling. If we think incorrectly, we will live incorrectly.

Our jobs and daily responsibilities should be seen as opportunities to fulfill our calling as soldiers for Christ. Our families, friends, and neighbors are the spaces where we can shine God’s light. It’s about living out our faith in such a way that the world can see we are living for God—in every part of our lives: at work, at home, and even at play.

This is how God grows us.

When we step out into the world with the desire to bear God’s fruit, it reveals where we truly are in our walk with Him—whether we are growing, faithful, or still struggling in certain areas. These moments are opportunities for reflection and correction. And yes, we will stumble at times—but in those failures, we can ask God for wisdom and seek ways to strengthen our faith and continue growing.

This is where the church was meant to play a vital role. The church should be a place of guidance and growth, led by those who have walked this path and can help others do the same. Sadly, this is often where the church falls short. Whether it’s due to a lack of understanding or a fear of pushing people too far from the comforts of the world—and potentially away from their congregation—many churches hesitate to challenge believers to fully surrender and live for God. But we cannot grow if we are not taught to let go of the world and cling to Christ.

The truth is this: if we are truly enlisted in God’s army, then our lives are not our own. Every moment, every encounter, and every responsibility is a divine assignment. We are not weekend warriors showing up to church for duty—we are full-time soldiers stationed in the world to advance the Kingdom of God.

The church should prepare us, but the mission field is everywhere our feet tread.

So let’s stop waiting for the “right moment” or the “perfect place” to live out our faith. Let’s stop confining God’s work to a church building or a mission trip. The world is desperate for light. And we carry that light. Let us rise up as true soldiers—faithful, alert, and engaged—fighting not with the weapons of this world, but with love, truth, and the power of the Spirit. Because when we live like this, the world will no longer wonder who we serve.

They will see it.
They will know.
And God will be glorified in every part of our lives.
And when that day comes—when we stand before Him—we won’t need to say a word.
Our lives will have already spoken:
We lived for You, Lord.