Acts 23:31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.
Lots of times, when those of us outside the military see a person in uniform, we think of the danger, the discipline, and the devotion that they have - being on call to step up and defend our country. But as many of them will tell you, every day is not like that. I'm sure these men, entrusted to watch over the Apostle Paul, could think of a lot more exciting ways to spend their days. He was no physical threat - he even had a disability. He was no warrior, except in prayer. And he was not some zealot, though he proclaimed to follow a deceased One. He was, in a sense, boring. But protect Him they must, with all diligence.
As soldiers of Christ, we would like our lives to be exciting all the time as well. And while we are involved in a deadly spiritual war, much of the Christian life is a daily discipline of devotion lived out in the little things of life. But those days are necessary so we are ready when the major encounters come, at a moment's notice, without warning. May we live the life today, even if it seems for a time less than exciting.
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