I have arrived in Kuwait. It's sunny, hot, and very dusty. We had high winds yesterday, and, when I got back to my tent, everything was covered with a lovely, fine layer of dust. But that's OK; it's just something else to have to deal with.

I've been doing a lot of thinking here about a Christian's role in the military. I've seen the arguments regarding the foundations of the Just War Doctrine and read the scriptures supporting it. I believe in the Just War Doctrine, and I don't really need any more intellectual justification. However, emotional acceptance is just a bit more difficult. I found the following scripture on a piece of paper the other day. I'm pretty sure the paper came from a soldier who had just visited the chaplain. It was 1 Peter 2: 13-25 (see below), and it really stirred my thought process. We are to submit ourselves to every authority for they are in that place of authority because it is God who put them there. God's will is absolute, and He doesn't make mistakes. By adhering to authority we are doing something good even if it hurts. Here's where it starts to make real sense. What good is it that bad men are punished for their deeds and endure their suffering? However, men doing good who endure suffering are commendable before God because they are doing God's will. As Martin Luther says (in one of my favorit sermons of his), what is any earthly suffering of ours compared to He who suffered on the cross for us? And why did Christ do that? Because He was following His Father's will.

I think I can live with that. Are we not supposed to make ourselves more Christ-like? Should we not seek ways to accomplish this? Christianity is all about submission. And I don't mean the mealy-mouthed definition with the bad connotation it's picked up, but true submission that is given out of love and trust. That is how I will attempt to view this time I have ahead of me.

Submission to Rulers and Masters

13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
    22"He committed no sin,
       and no deceit was found in his mouth."[5] 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.