Attention in the Military

Recap (1) We are in a pivotal time in human history and a moment of deep spiritual warfare; (2) One of our core battles is against weapons of mass distraction (3) It is not only about what we have to turn away from but what we are called to turn towards. We all have a Calling to Attention!

Exegesis – 

There is a battle going on for our attention – forces want us to be distracted will easily buy things. By focusing our attention on insignificant things, we are robbed of our ability to devote our time and energy to the things that matter. People with scattered attention cannot focus, they tire easily and they can be manipulated.

2 Corinthians 10, Paul is using the military metaphor (note of caution)

The battle is not about human might but about the spiritual 

To write this message I had a conversation with a friend of mine who is a Marine veteran. I asked him what it means when you are called to attention in the military. He laid out 4 situations 

Key Points  - Why does a unit get called to attention?

To acknowledge the presence and authority of an official. You stand at attention until they say – “At ease” – you can relax a little or “As you were” – you can go back to what you were doing

When we are distracted we struggle to pay attention to God’s presence and to acknowledge God as the most important thing in our life. We need to make more space to acknowledge God on a daily basis.

To take attendance and ensure everyone in the unit is present – during peace time it’s just being on time and ready, during war it ensures everyone has made it through the previous day.

When we are moving too fast we can forget to show up for each other, we can overlook the need to check in each other to ensure folks are okay. 

To announce awards or promotions within the unit. 

We need to give more time to celebrate each other and the ways that we have grown. Sometimes we forget how far we have come until someone reminds us. 

To remind everyone of the mission and to assign tasks for different individuals or teams so that help to meet the larger mission.

Our call is not just to make it through life but to truly be doing

God’s work in the world through our particular gifts but also in alignment with each other. We need to pay attention to that calling.

Reflections Questions

Reflect on the time that you are spending acknowledging God’s presence and authority. How are you called to shift your attention to focus more on God?

Where might God be calling you to pay more attention to the other people in your life? Is there someone who you haven’t seen show up recently? 

How can you pay more attention to acknowledgement and celebration of yourself and others? Are there rituals of acknowledgement you can start or increase?

How might you give more attention to the big picture mission that you are on and how you need to move every day to align with that mission? Where might you be called to connect with someone else to help you do that with more focus?