Christian,
You’ve heard the songs—
sung in your sanctuaries,
of marching strong,
proud beneath your banners.

And lit within you
was the desire to serve.
So here you stand,
ready to enlist—
having no idea
the cost of your service.

There will be sweat.
There will be tears.
There will be blood.
Not all of you will endure.

But do not despair, brethren.
I do not boast of my service.
I speak to encourage.

The pain you’ll endure
does not weaken—
it will harden you.

The day will come when you feel it,
but no longer weep.
Blows from the enemy
will strike hard,
but not overwhelm.And with His grace,
you will rise and fight on.

Until one day…
the battle will be over,
the war finally won—
and you will enter
your well-deserved rest,
never to fight again.

If this offering stirred something in you—
a memory,
a question,
a flicker of light—
you are welcome to share
your reflection below.
No need for eloquence.
No need for certainty.
Just a lantern,
gently placed.