About Face

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asic training had been just that—basic.  Joe wasn’t too impressed thus far with army life.  Ever since his arrival all he had done was go to bed early, get up early, run laps, hike endless miles, crawl on his belly, climb over obstacles, and eat bad food.  Not quite the adventure he had signed up for but it could have been worse.  How, he wasn’t’ sure but he kept telling himself that just to make life in boot camp bearable.

One thing he had learned, and learned well, was how to follow orders.  He knew what forward march meant, he had no problem with right or left face, and the words “Company halt” were a welcome relief after stomping out a heavy cadence over fifteen miles carrying a full pack.  Today, the march had been particularly grueling as his platoon and two more joined together in a 25-mile hike in full gear.  There had been several of these hikes lately and Joe felt sure that his time in boot camp was rapidly coming to an end.

The next morning his inklings were confirmed as his platoon was rousted out of bed much earlier than usual and told to be packed and ready for transport in half an hour.  Joe jumped out of his bunk, pulled his uniform on, threw all his belongings, which weren’t much, into his duffel bag and joined his buddies on the pavement in front of the barracks.  Fifteen hours later, his life would be drastically different but for now he waited for the bus to take to destination unknown.

Fifteen hours later, Joe emerged form an airplane into a completely different world.  Foxholes and trenches replaced barracks and the sound of drill sergeants barking commands were no match for the sound of shells and ammunition whizzing through the air.  As the team assembled a man stepped forward and barked an all-to-familiar order, “About face!” Instinctively, Joe snapped around on his heels, stood at attention, and looked ahead, seeing for the first time a true front line with a true battle raging.  As long as his back was turned, he hadn’t seen the fighting, now that his perspective had changed, he knew there was no looking back.  The only way to win this battle was to march straight into the fray—retreat was not an option!

Would it surprise you to learn that the order “About face” existed long before the concept of basic training?  The modern military was not the first to use this command nor did a drill sergeant first bark it at a group of new recruits.  Actually, one of the first recorded utterances of this command came not from a drill sergeant, a general, or any commander.  It came from the mouth of Jesus of Nazareth.

In Luke 9:62 we read these words of Christ, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."  This passage of scripture is taken from a conversation Jesus had with some of his followers.  Some who wanted to follow Jesus wanted to take care of other concerns before following him.  Jesus listened to them and then made the above observation.  He knew that only those who are dedicated, who follow wholeheartedly, who abandon everything for the cause of God, and who forsake everything are truly fit to serve in God’s kingdom. 

Jesus called everyone who followed him to do an about face, to leave their former way of life behind, to forget all that had gone before, in order to follow him into battle.  Jesus wanted his followers to understand that no battle can be won if those who are fighting it constantly look behind them.  He did not call his followers to what used to be; he called them to what would be, a definite about face, a change in direction, a change of heart and mind.

This call still comes to us today as Jesus enlists followers for his cause.  We are the solders and like Joe the time has come for us to do an about face and head toward the front line.  We only have one decision to make; will we follow Christ or not?  Will we trust him to lead us and protect us in life’s battles? Will we place our very lives in his hands, knowing he will never leave us or forsake us?  Are you ready for battle?  Are you ready to receive your orders?  Are you ready to do an about face today?