WORLDman

Rules of Engagement

Some of India's best troops are stationed on the border with Pakistan.  They are the best not because they are good at sneaking or sniping.  They are the best because they have self-control and know the consequences of creating or responding to a provocation.  At the border, there are bigger issues than personal protection, ego or vengence. 

In the military, before a soldier is sent to his station, he and his entire unit are instructed on the rules of engagement... when you may and may not shoot.  The airports I travel through are often protected by sand bagged security checkpoints.  Simple rules of engagement might be something like, "Do shoot someone approaching with an obvious gun or bomb; do not shoot the passengers."

The rules help troops evaluate when the threat is real and how they are to respond.  Rules of engagement are important because the over reaction of a soldier is as great a danger as the attack of an enemy.  Over reaction enflames a situation and endangers more lives.  It can turn a simple exchange into a full scale war.

Jesus clearly had rules of engagement.  "When they insulted him he did not retaliate.  When he suffered he made no threats.  Instead he trusted himself to Him who judges justly."  (I Peter 2:23).

For a Christian, the rules of engagement would be something like this:  When someone offends you, you are not authorized to shoot back.  If they hit you on the right cheek, turn the left cheek.  If they take your silverware, give them the silver candlesticks as well (Les Miserables).    Always be aware of the consequences of creating or responding to a provocation.  In the kingdom, there are more important issues than ego.

Collateral Damage

Deuteronomy 20:19 -- "When you are besieging a town and the war drags on, do not destroy the trees. Eat the fruit, but do not cut down the trees. They are not enemies that need to be attacked!" (NLT)

A dear friend sent e-mail last night asking for prayer.  He is a pastor and leader in Cambodia aggressively standing for the Gospel.  Yesterday someone threw acid in his wife's face.  Acid attacks are not uncommon in Asia.  They are not meant to kill but to disfigure, to leave a scar of hatred, and to hurt in a way that brings pain and shame and sadness for life.   

In warfare it is considered "unavoidable" when the innocent are too close to the intended target and suffer the fate intended for an enemy.  It is called "collateral damage".  Politics is increasingly filled with collateral damage.  Managers seldom consider the effects their behavior has on families.  Battling spouses rarely stop to think of the counseling their children will some day need. Spiritual leaders inflame issues that split churches and families.

Many disagreements escalate to emotion; some to violence.  But in ten years no one will remember the issues and no one will forget how they were treated.  It leaves life-long scars.   

If God was concerned even for the trees, will he accept 'collateral damage" as an explanation or excuse?

Creating Insecurity

What can we say about such wonderful things as these?  If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own?  Will God? No!  He is the one who has given us right standing with himself.   And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. (Romans 8:31-38)

This is a powerful testimony of security, but it comes at the end of a remarkable confession of failure.

 

“I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t.  I do what I don’t want to—what I hate.  I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking.  But I can’t help myself… It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.  (Romans5:15ff)

   

How can Paul in one breath admit that he is a complete screw-up and in the next breath say with such conviction that nothing can separate us from God’s love?  God is FOR us.  He has CHOSEN us.  And he GAVE us right standing with himself. 

   

This is a great model for leaders who want to create security in others.  "I am committed to helping you be successful, because I personally chose you for this job and you can walk in my door any time."

       

Unfortunately many leaders are in the business of creating insecurity.  It is accomplished quite powerfully through one simple behavior – accusation.  Accusation is the opposite of encouragement.  When you encourage someone, you SEE the good IN them and SAY the good TO them.  To see and say the opposite is accusation.  If I were to ask, "What is the opposite of encouragment?" most people would quickly say "discouragement".  But if you make it a verb, the opposite of encourage is accuse.... discouragement and insecurity are the consequence of accusation.

   

Encouragement is the most important thing leaders do, and when they do it well they reflect the image of God.  They are creating - building into others.  Accusation, on the other hand… we have been warned about the father of that mode of communication, and when leaders habitually use it they are doing his work - diminishing and destroying.

Searching Eyes

In Kolkata,India, you see so many beggars that sometimes you don’t see them any more.  There are just too many so they begin to blend in with the scenery.  Like graffiti on city walls that is so familiar you no longer notice it, you stop seeing the beggars as individuals.  You don’t see the deformed limbs.  You don’t see the dirt caked skin.  You don’t make eye contact. 

 

On the first morning of the training conference I walked two blocks from the guesthouse to the mission compound, wading through the traffic, vendors, garbage and beggars.  The last beggar appeared to be sleeping, both ankles so twisted she obviously could not walk.  Her legs partially blocked the walkway, and as I stepped around them, she opened her eyes and raised a hand for money.  I fumbled in my pocket but having no change walked on.  It is not a good feeling to sit at a Christian conference and think about a poor cripple you refused to help, so at lunch time I walked outside and put a few rupees in her bowl.  She looked up with a blank face. 

   

The next morning I was ready with a 10 rupee note in hand as I approached her spot.  She was sleeping so I touched the bill to her hand and she woke just enough to grab it.  The third morning I was again ready, but this time so was she.  Her eyes locked on to me when I was still yards away.  Her hand went up pleading, hoping, expecting.  This time the 20 rupee note brought a smile.  The next morning I was amazed by the look of pure joy that exploded on her face when she first caught sight of me wending my way through the crowded sidewalk.  She didn’t cup her hand in the usual beggarly pose but waved as if greeting a friend.  Every morning after that were the same, searching eyes, recognition, and then that look of pure joy.   I made her day.

   

I would like to encounter God every morning like that beggar encountered me… the expectation, the searching and the pure joy of being in His presence.  I want my quiet time to be like that.  “There You are.  I could hardly wait to see You again.  Today I will eat and be happy.  I look forward to seeing You again tomorrow.  You make my day!”

   

On my last day I tried to explain that I was leaving.  She didn’t understand my words but I think she knew from the extra bills I folded into her hand.  How sad will she be tomorrow?  “But You, You will never leave me or forsake me!  You WILL be there for me.”

      

Oh God, you are my God,

earnestly I seek you.

My soul thirsts for you,

my body longs for you

In your name I will lift up my hands

Because you are my help

Psalm 63

Wounded Workers

One of my favorite films is a story set in World War II.  In one scene, a soldier named Blithe is hiding at the bottom of a foxhole while the battle rages around him.  The soldier had been wounded, but not seriously, he was frightened and alone and lost.  So he just sat at the bottom of the hole with his gun in the dirt, covered his ears, and did nothing.

His commanding officer suddenly appeared and jumped down in the hole.  He did not rebuke the soldier or beat him or shoot him.  Rather, the officer picked up the weapon, loaded it, and put it in the soldier’s hands.  He helped the soldier to his feet and faced him toward the enemy.  Then, he stood beside the wounded warrior and they started firing together at the enemy.  All the while the officer was shouting words of encouragement… “keep firing… pour it on… you can do it”   This is a leader who values every soldier and knows how to get them back in the battle. 

In almost every Christian organization there are casualties.  People are wounded, they are isolated from co-workers, they fail their leaders, and they end up in a useless heap.  One should never be satisfied when a fallen worker is out of the battle.   In the kingdom of God every worker counts.  We should always be willing to help those who are wounded to re-engage the true enemy.  I think the actions of the officer in the film are a good example:  put the weapon back in their hands, lift them up, face the enemy, and fight side-by-side all the while shouting words of encouragement over the noise and attacks of the evil one.