Successful books always come from a writer’s inspired, creative mind and heart. Every time we attempt to make publishing a science, making it more about business nuts and bolts, rather than art, serendipitous creativity seems to find a way around the science, nuts, and bolts.
Effective and wise business planning is important, but Christian publishing’s guiding principle should be Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” (NIV).
Consider the state of the world.
Evil is gaining momentum; and Christ-followers worldwide are much more like first-century believers, increasingly needing to be strong, courageous, unyielding, aware, and wise in how they work and live as Christ’s ambassadors to a fallen world.
One group of Christian writers might have a unique perspective on how we should all prepare to live as believers.
Those connected to the military in the past or present could be a window into the future of the church and how it relates to the world. We might be well-served to pay attention to what they have to communicate.
Think about those things pressed into everyone connected to the military and how they relate to all believers seeking to live the Christian life in the third decade of the 21st century:
Your life is not your own: There’s no room for self-interest. Egos are set aside. There’s no “I” in team. Everyone has a specific role. For Christians, you were bought with a price and are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:20).
This life is held lightly: Constantly being around people risking death or dying changes everyone. The mission could result in the ultimate sacrifice. Consider everything loss compared to knowing and serving Christ (Philippians 3).
Always listening for orders: Regardless of personal desires and plans, everything is set aside when a command is issued: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27, NIV)
Obedience is a way of life: Once the orders come, while likely not convenient, they are obeyed. Plans change in a moment. Personal desires are set aside for the sake of the mission. The most powerful prayer might be, “Lord, not my will, but yours.”
No place for the fragile or faint of heart (and not only those on the front lines): Scripture is filled with statements from God, giving us courage in our circumstances. Oswald Chambers wrote, “The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”
Military spouses, active or inactive soldiers, and military families learn difficult lessons that are never comfortable.
Of course, there is the omnipresent author-marketing issue to overcome. But maybe those Christians who have a military season in their past or are currently serving will have unique insights into those things to help all Christ-followers cope with an evil, unstable, chaotic world, where courage is necessary for all believers and it is important to remember your training.
The Institute of Faith, Work, and Economics has an interesting article on its website, “How Do the Seven Army Values Align with Christian Values?”
