Down Range

~Going Down Range..."Just another day gentleman...Hooo Yaaa!"~

The question isn't how much more you can take.  But how much more you can give.  Just when you're ready to quit, your mind says push harder.  You listen.  Sensing an inner strength that wasn't there before.  And suddenly you discover you no longer feel pain.
~U.S. Navy Seals~

I have a book which I have read more than a few times over.  The book is titled "Down Range" and is authored by former Navy SEAL Dick Couch.  In it, Couch relates the experiences of our SEAL's in the combat arena of Iraq and Afghanistan in the days following the attacks of September 11th, 2001.  Now, I need to add that many a SEAL was critical of mister Couch for authoring this book.  The brotherhood of our Navy SEAL's is one of secret missions and secret lives.  When their mission is complete, they'd much rather retreat to the company of their brothers in arms or families than become media heroes.  For in their line of work, the less that is known about them the better.  It is against this backdrop that the SEAL's avoid any and all attention directed their way.  In the parlance of the SEAL teams, "Down Range" refers to a area of operations where a team is deployed, but can also refer to the direction one is firing his own weapon.  It is in reference to this terminology that I decided to relate the arena of that battle we christians face each and every day.  To those who follow Christ Jesus, "Down Range" is not a matter of combat in our physical realm, but the spiritual arena we are not privy to.  The old phrase "The devil made me do it" may only be partly correct.  For satan indeed has some influence in this conflict between good and evil, but it is ultimately God who is in control of all.  

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6: 11-13 NKJV

This battle which we face each and every day is the same battle which is made easier in the knowledge that we who follow Christ Jesus face this battle AS Jesus {Galations 2:20}.  When we are deployed "Down Range" in this battle, we go forth as Christ Jesus who is in us.  We never go alone!  As our SEAL's join, train and fight as a team, so do we follow Christ.  For Jesus is our on our side.  I don't know about anyone else, but I'd much rather walk my life as Christ Jesus.  It is Jesus, having been tempted as we are, who can sympathize with whatever it is we face {Hebrews 4:15}.  He's been there!  As we walk this life and it's many troubles, we can rest in the knowledge that Jesus walks with us.  We will never see him, but He is indeed there.  In that spiritual battle of this age, we have a comrade Down Range who walks with us ready to take on that enemy we all face.  We need not raise our hands to fight, our comrade will fight this battle for us.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

~Scott~