O, to be a soldier for Christ
Eager and so keen
Scrubbed and clean
Ready for the fray.
We’ll be on the front line
My Lord and I –
We’ll defeat the enemy
We’ll capture every evil thought
Putting good and noble thoughts there instead.
We’ve fastened our belts of Truth –
Wrapped tight around our waists.
Our bullet proof vests of Righteousness
Are in place.
Our boots of peace are on our feet
We’re ready to go out an defeat
Satan and his angels.
Our tin hats on our head,
The tin hats of Salvation –
Which only the shedding of Your blood
Could give.
There seems to be no modern equivalent
Of the shield,
That vital shield of faith,
And I will keep it there
In front of me all the time.
The gun of Your Spirit,
Your word on my tongue
Is always there,
Because if You set us free
We will be free indeed.

God forgive me,
I’m in the middle of the fighting.
This is so much tougher,
I’m the one who feels defeated –
Dirty, injured, exhausted.
I’m the one who feels alone,
We are falling by the way.
Couldn’t take the hatred –
Couldn’t resist the desires of the heart –
Didn’t duck –
Forgot to pray –
Forgot to remain with our Commander-in-Chief.
We lost those shields of faith.
I’m in the field, and all I see are the bodies,
Of those who died,
And the backs of those who fled.
I’m broken God
I’m defeated God.
I feel all alone.

Yet I do feel safe,
There are those who have gone before me,
And have managed to reach
The other side,
Maybe not unscathed
But they are there
Safe in Your arms.
Then I see the cross –
The light gleams from the cross.
My, it’s so bright
I try to turn my head
Yet my eyes are drawn to focus on it
The darkness all around
Makes the brightness brighter still.
There’s a man standing in the light
His arms are open wide.
He comes to me
Puts me on my feet,
Holding me tight
Strengthening me again –
To continue across the battle field.
My Commander-in-Chief
Is at my side,
Fighting with me.
Across minefields
He picks me up
And carries me
Safely to the other side.
Wise Father
Giving Son
Freeing Holy Spirit.