This past weekend, I had the honor to hear Admiral William H. McRaven speak at a state conference. From the moment he stepped onto the stage and through his last words, I was riveted. To learn of his life story as a Navy SEAL and his impressive military career as a 4-star admiral in the U.S. Navy was a treat. He spoke of bravery, life lessons, character, and of being an over-comer.
My biggest takeaway was his comment about, “locking arms“. The context in which he shared this comment had to do with his experience during his Navy SEALS training. He described the ordeal called, “Hell Week” where these young men are pushed to the highest levels of physical and emotional challenges. Very few men make it through this intense week. One of the tests these men endure requires them to remain in the cold, frigid water for hours on end.
Admiral McRaven explained how the men would sit in the cold water and link themselves together by locking arms with one another. Through this process of locking arms, the men were able to encourage one another and add support to the entire team. This physical bonding actually created a special emotional bond.
As I listened to this story, I couldn’t help but think about the lessons throughout the Bible of those who faced hardships and challenges but linked with our LORD for strength. When Paul taught us the Armor of God in Galatians 6, he told us to put on the equipment we need each day to fight the good fight as believers. We are to “armor up” for the Kingdom!
Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” We are to PUT ON the FULL armor of God. In this way, we can TAKE OUR STAND against the enemy. So how does this relate to “locking arms“? Locking arms requires communication, cooperation, and comradery. As believers, we must lock arms with fellow believers in order to stand firm against the world and the enemy.
We also see in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” When we hold one another accountable and stand beside each other through thick and thin, it is then we can withstand the enemy who desires to devour and destroy our lives. When we LOCK ARMS, we are stronger and we become an unbreakable force!
In my own, small community, we are experiencing a group of very negative and damaging people who are doing their best to infiltrate our local school board, our City council, commissioner’s court, the sheriff’s department, and every judge seat there is. This group desires to try and ruin all of the good in our town.
As our community is now recognizing what is happening, people are beginning to take a stance, LOCK ARMS, and stand together. THIS is how we will be able to withstand and defeat those who wish to destroy! We are LOCKING ARMS and we will stand together.
How do you need to LOCK ARMS in a situation in your own life? Is it time to link up with fellow believers to stand up for what is right? Find your fellow warriors and link up! We can and we will take back our communities!