Roles

Ralph went to the National Training Center (NTC) in California serving as the Fire Support Officer (FSO) for an infantry battalion scheduled to be evaluated. Ralph looked at the terrain model as the battalion staff discussed what tactics they should choose on their upcoming day of battle.  He realized that it was very similar to terrain he had trained on with a Cavalry unit.  As the leaders selected their preferred course of action he disagreed and felt they were heading into a trap.  The battalion commander (BC) asked him to share his ideas.  So Ralph passionately laid out a battle strategy that he was sure would defeat the opposition.  His senior leaders agreed with him and the next day they won their battle decisively. ​

The second night Ralph again disagreed with the proposed strategy and shared what he was sure would bring the battalion victory. Again, the BC listened to him and, again, the battalion pulled the enemy into their trap and won.  This was unprecedented.  Units do not go to the NTC and win—they are expected to lose and usually lose badly. But what were perhaps even more impressive than their victories were that senior leaders listened to Ralph, and trusted him enough to adopt his ideas.
 
Meditation
1 Corinthians 3:5--What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given.
 
In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul addressed envy and strife occurring between the believers—some championing Apollos, a gifted leader, while others backed Paul. He wanted nothing to do with such foolishness and he called them out for their juvenile behavior. He and Apollos had different spiritual roles and different gifting. It was inappropriate for factions to form.
            
Had Paul operated from pride he would have exalted his responsibility and perhaps downplayed what Apollos did.  Instead, he was secure in his skin. He knew his role.  Similarly, Ralph’s BC knew that ultimately, he was in charge of what the battalion did at NTC and he was expected to decide what course of action the unit would take. He was secure enough in his position to understand that he had a junior officer with a knack for terrain appreciation and tactics.  He was humble enough to accept Ralph’s plan for the better good of the battalion even though in many ways Ralph’s advice exceeded his job description as an FSO. 
            
​What about you?  Do you know what role(s) God has for you? Are you comfortable speaking up for what you believe is right and for leading from the strengths God has given you?  You may get slapped down.  You may serve insecure leaders who don’t appreciate your wisdom and who are insecure with letting you be right.  That’s okay.  Be respectful. Pray for them yet, by appropriate means, be willing to let God use you in your strengths.  Your role isimportant and there may not be anyone else available or willing to do what God has gifted you to do.  When you function correctly in your role you become a genuine role model.  
 
Inspiration
Everyone in society should be a role model, not only for their own self-respect, but for respect from others.—Barry Bonds
 
©2021 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)