Soldier of the Cross

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3, NASB.

In my early teens I smoked, drank, and gambled. I used to get in trouble at school. The principal told me if I broke the rules one more time I’d be expelled. My parents couldn’t control me. It wasn’t much later that I was caught smoking at school and was expelled. My parents heard about the children’s home that a Christian named George* was running. They heard that he helped children in trouble, like me. They asked to place me with him, and by God’s grace I was accepted.

George started teaching me God’s word. He taught me about discipline and godliness. I came to realize that sin was ruling my life and would destroy me if something didn’t change. That scared me. I was 14 years old when I realized that I was a sinner headed to hell. But George also told me that Jesus loved me and wanted to forgive my sin. I prayed to accept Jesus as my Savior. It felt good to be forgiven, and it felt even better to have a new heart that no longer wanted the smoking, drinking, and gambling that used to rule me.

With George’s help I was reinstated in school. The change in my life was so dramatic that the other students elected me to be the student body president. I was elected to this leadership role two years in a row, which I credit to them seeing Jesus in my life. After I graduate from high school next year I hope to become a soldier. I believe God will use me as a good example and that I will be able to share the Gospel with other soldiers.

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

God will deepen this young man’s faith and that he will become a dynamic soldier of the cross.

He will not yield to the temptation to take credit for the changes that Christ has made in his young life but will instead remain humble and teachable.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.