During WWI there was an area between enemy lines and the trenches called “no man’s land.” It also is a term sometimes used when one is ambiguous or indefinite. In today’s modern culture it might be an area that we find ourselves in on social, religious and political issues. These are areas that we don’t like to make hard choices because it might cause us to be “unfriended” on social media or disconnected from others. Gender and racial issues, abortion, political leaders, taxation laws and religious affiliations all fall into “no man’s land.”
The trenches were considered to be the most vulnerable places to be stationed in during WW I. They were open targets and open to the elements. They were dirty and muddy and many times were full of dead rotting bodies and could never be fully secured. Stray bullets or grenades would sometimes make their way into the open holes, past “no man’s land,” to kill without warning. Today we stay in the mire of our dug in personal trenches rather than venture out. We may take an occasional bullet but few are ever courageous enough to step into “no man’s land.” Stepping against the social, religious, or political majority is too dangerous.
Are you caught in a trench?
Stepping into a minority place is challenging today. It means we lie in a vulnerable and dangerous often poorly protected position. One place today we see this is with millennials. They don’t want to get married, commit long term to jobs or even dwelling places. What if one gets stuck, or love dies and someone better comes along or one gets bored? Many don’t want to choose a church home and stick with it either. It might require one to have to deal with personal issues or pesky church community issues. Or what might happen if one finds that the majority of people have politically different viewpoints? In our culture of “I want it my way or no way,” how do we ever become a united even sacrificial “body” of Christ? Sadly, we have become a culture of floaters walking in mud and never on the solid ground of God. When challenges arise, many stay trapped because they haven’t prepared or equipped themselves properly.
Not committing is a trench.
God’s not found in the safety of trenches. He’s outside bidding us to come into “no man’s land” with Him. To venture into places others don’t want to go. The richness of knowing Jesus is that we never ever stand alone or left unprotected. His Word equips us with the perfect equipment and footing to fight the battles that rage in today’s turbulent wars. It is when we don’t choose that we lose and get embedded in the muck of the world. He has our backs and secures us in the ultimate reward of all, eternity with Him. Will you put on the whole armor of God? We need you on the battlefield.
Will you courageously choose Him and allow His wisdom to train you?
I know all that you do, and I know that you are neither frozen in apathy nor fervent with passion. How I wish you were either one or the other! But because you are neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, I am about to spit you from my mouth (reprimand you). For you claim, “I’m rich and getting richer—I don’t need a thing.” Yet you are clueless that you’re miserable, poor, blind, barren, and naked! So I counsel you to purchase gold perfected by fire (the purity of Christ), so that you can be truly rich. Purchase a white garment to cover and clothe your shameful Adam-nakedness (Christ provides our covering). Purchase eye salve to be placed over your eyes so that you can truly see (Christ opens blind eyes). All those I dearly love I unmask and train (discipline). So repent and be eager to pursue what is right. Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking (the ancient wedding practice of a bridegroom – Jesus, coming to the door for His bride-Church,) If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come into you and feast with you, and you will feast with me.Revelation 3:15-20
