What He Caught

Learning is a lifelong process, as it should be. The sooner we learn how the world works, the more unnecessary pain and suffering we can avoid. If you catch on early enough to spot trends, avoid bad habits, and learn how to read people, the earlier you can trod the road to happiness and success. Many are eager to learn they just do not like being taught. We need to have confidence in our natural abilities to learn. For instance, there is nothing that you are presently doing right now that you did not have to learn. At one time the things you are now able to do were unfamiliar and maybe frightening. This is the nature of life, but we can learn. You can learn new patterns of relating and functioning; this, after all, is the essence of the personal power of what God wants for you. He wants to make us mature and complete; he will help us grow in our learning. Learning is a test. You can catch on.

While learning we will run into resistance and it this is a good sign that you are learning. Nothing comes easy. We all have to work at learning. Remember the clear message that the Scriptures give us when you encounter resistances, persevering to the end will bring great rewards, “…receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” 1 Peter 1:9, and remember what James stated, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 You can catch on.

A policeman undertakes months of training to be a competent officer and learn to do their job with accuracy, thoroughness, and professionalism. A doctor undergoes years and years of training to achieve the same desired results. A soldier is in much the same position with a few minor alterations. One of those alterations is to follow orders without question. The inevitability calls for the soldier to perform some tasks that may be morally offensive. On occasion, the soldier’s orders may place him in a Catch-22 situation. That’s the position where he is technically between a rock and a hard place!

There is a recorded instance where one soldier found himself in exactly that very position. Following orders despite his strong reservations, he became embroiled in an episode recorded for the ages. This soldier happened to be detailed to the group that watched and transported Jesus from Jerusalem to Golgotha for crucifixion. Caught up in the drama, he realized what had just happened but was powerless to effect any change that would matter.

The eyewitness account is recorded in the gospel of Luke. After hanging on the cross for six hours, the final words of Jesus were,”Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) Immediately the soldier (centurion) who saw what happened said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47)

Bottom line:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 What did the soldier catch? He caught on!