Our Commander’s Intent

There is a term used in the military arena called “The Commander’s Intent,” which simply refers to leadership that has soldiers focus on a mission’s objective without providing all the specific details on how to accomplish it. Its design is to harness the creativity of the soldier to accomplish a very specific objective. An exercise of ‘free will’ – just be sure to accomplish the mission!

In my Christian walk, I can relate that to my own ‘Commander’s Intent.’ As a member of God’s army, I have been called to participate in the rebellion against the ruler of this world. I have been organized under a banner called ‘the Church.’ I have received orders that have been written in love and have been equipped with spiritual gifts to be given away in service to believers and non-believers alike – in their time of need.

In the majesty and mystery of all of that, I continue to struggle to achieve clarity on what is expected of me. Inner anguish rises as I long to align my redeemed life to what our Lord is doing in the present. If only it were clear – I would joyfully take up my place in His plans.

I know of our Commander’s Intent, but bound to the earth by my flesh, it is difficult to focus on the Mission and realign my daily endeavors with God’s will for my life.

As I seek peace in my dilemma, it occurs to me that perhaps answers are to be found in Scripture in consideration of Angels. Hebrews 1:14 reads: “are not all the angels ministering spirits sent out by God to serve those who will inherit salvation?”

That verse in Scripture is a revelation packed with ‘grace.’ The less obvious point I considered here is whether the Angels were told exactly what they were to do and then sent out, or like me, they had to struggle with discerning their Commander’s Intent and align their actions towards God’s perceived will – hopeful they wouldn’t disappoint Him.

I’ll never know the answer to that, but considering Angels as ministering spirits gives insight into the call on my own life and how it fits into God’s entire ‘Restoration Story.’

While I think of Angels as ‘heavenly spirits,’ I recall they are not like God but similar to mankind–created beings.

Scripture reveals they were present and experienced the original harmony of Heaven – fully able to exercise their free will, use it to choose sides in a prideful uprising, and watch Satan and his rebels being defeated and banished from heaven. We have not been made privy to how long they waited, but unlike God, they were not ‘omniscient’ and had to wait to see what was going to happen next. Scripture does reveal that they rejoiced when God said “let there be light” (Job 38:7), and so it was from then that a new chapter began with: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth……” (Gen 1:1) In the dawn of a ‘new day,’ the anticipation must have been overwhelming as they awaited God’s next steps that would begin to restore order and harmony in the Kingdom called ‘Heaven.’

What I have learned of Heaven’s Angels is that they did not need salvation. They have never experienced the hunger or thirst of the flesh. They knew nothing about the pains of loneliness, rejection, sickness, and hardened hearts. Neither did they know of spiritual death until they heard a cry of anguish escape from the lips of God’s own Son as He was nailed to a cross: “my God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?” Upon His death, did fear rise up, or did faith lead to a renewed hope?

Imagine then their excitement at the dawn of the third day – He has risen! An expression of glory, love, power, mercy, grace, faithfulness, and justice rolled out in a single action towards all of mankind. Their God has “sent His Son into the world, not to condemn it but that it might be saved through Him.” (John 3:17)

In considering that revelation – theirs in real-time and mine in a study of the written Word – where our missions have intersected, and I am left to wonder how they came to be ministering spirits sent to serve those who are to inherit salvation.

Did they receive instructions on exactly what they needed to do to serve the redeemed and then get sent out? Or did they simply rejoice in the beauty of The Lord and, knowing the Commander’s Intent, jump into the midst of the battle and minister as, when, and where needed?

The more I think and pray on it; I find myself leaning towards the latter. I do not want to be anxious about anything – especially when it comes to serving my King, knowing that He has good plans for my life. I want to bring Him glory in all that I do in response to what He has done for me, through Jesus Christ, My Lord.

, I pray that You give me the eyes to see You in the present, the ears to hear Your calling, a heart that beats in harmony with Your heart. Let me not hesitate when You prompt my ministering spirit to go out and serve both the lost and saved. Fill me with tears of love and compassion as I join others in our daily battle to escape the snares of the one who wills to kill and destroy any of Yours.

We give You thanks for Angels – the ministering spirits You sent to serve those of us who have inherited salvation.