So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!—to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.
2 Timothy 2:1-7 The Message
So you, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus.
2 And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust [as a deposit] to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also.
3 Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.
5 And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down).
6 [It is] the hard-working farmer [who labors to produce] who must be the first partaker of the fruits.
7 Think over these things I am saying [understand them and grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything. 2 Timothy 2:1-7 Amplified
The Holy Spirit illustrates these three vocations in the Middle East because most of the people would have seen Roman soldiers, there were an agricultural society back then, and gladiators and athletes were a gruesome spectator past time for the Romans occupiers. There was properly an entire industry revolving around soldiers and athletes too. The farmers were working quietly on their farming pastures or animals breeding grounds.
I happened to be a peace time soldier for 9-10 years from 1997-2007 before I went to a short term Theology certificate course. So, I shall attempt to describe this passage, in a simplified way as I can. I did not experienced any war.
A soldier works closely in a small team first, he is no good if he is alone. He needs to develop as a small unit leader and to be a brother and leader over those he may leads. He undergoes rigorous training, many times with live ammunition, lives had been lost or injured in the line of duty. He is bound by rules of engagement, he needs to learn respect and duty. He needs to abide by an honor code, written or unwritten. He needs to be loyal to the country, many times, he needs to placed others before himself. He should not be reckless, and understands the risk of this undertaking. He need to outwit the enemy and win the battle. By all ways and means. He develops a camaraderie and mindset that is difficult for civilians to understands.
Later on, we might find a common underlying theme among the three vocations, and that is the ability to take and withstand hardships. Physically and or mentally. All three vocations have plenty of work to be done , behind-the-scenes and the produce or results they shown, reflects the amount of work they do quietly without applause.
An athlete is fueled by an intrinsic motivation to be and to do better than himself/ herself. he or she sets out to break a perceived mental barrier. It is not so much of a medal or a trophy, but for a satisfaction of pushing oneself beyond his limits and overcoming a mental road block. He or she wants to be in tip top physical condition so that the body will do according to what the mind conceives. he or she knows that he needs to take care, eat right, sleeps well for this body temple in order to go for the long haul. He or she carefully selects the correct clothing and equipment to wear for the training and race day.
I never been a farmer, I don’t even have green fingers, as I hiked through the rice fields of Thailand, Asia. I realized that the farmers have a schedule to adhere to.
He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. Proverbs 10:5
Theirs is a backbreaking and arduous job, even with modern machinery.
Due diligence and faithfulness can be two keywords to describe a farming vocation.
Today, we had just briefly touched on the three different vocations, in the next part, we shall try to examine together how God wants us to live on earth with His Kingdom attitudes, based on the three different vocation examples.
Tan Kok Siang
26th April 2015
Singapore
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