The sky is grey, clouds hang oppressive over the beach. Through the fog comes the sound of engines, hundreds of vessels prepare for the largest land invasion of the second world war. Tens of thousands of men hold their collective breath as the ramps lower on their boats. They grip their rifles, some take a last puff on a cigarette, some stare at the beach knowing this will be their last day. Some pray.
Eighty years later:
The sky is grey outside the window, inside a lone lamp illuminates the room. In a chair sits the man of the house. Bible open on his lap, steam rises from the cup in his hand. The crackle of onion skin paper breaks the silence as he turns another page. As he finishes his time reading, he closes the book, kneels at his chair, and enters the battle field.
What is a hero?
According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
A man of distinguished valor, intrepidity or enterprise in danger
A great, illustrious or extraordinary person
I pause on that important two letter word. OR
Our modern ideal for heroism generally consists of the words, “enterprise in danger” or “great and illustrious.” To be a hero in society, the world says, you must have either paid the ultimate sacrifice or be known for acting bravely in the face of grave danger. But if you ask a child who his hero is, if he has any relationship with his father, he will reply with one word. “Daddy.”
So which is it?
The correct answer is both, and that answer depends on perspective.
The men who stormed the beaches of Normandy, parachuted into the hedgerows, and paid the ultimate price in blood were undoubtedly heroes. So too is the man who lays down his own ambitions to pour out his life in service to Jesus.
Call of Duty: Excerpt from White Harvest Media’s Romans Field Manual
Romans 12:1
This calling does not look the same for any man. Every man’s terrain is different.
Different people
Different occupations
Different time in history
Yet every man is called to sacrifice himself.
To take up his cross. Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34
To die daily. I Corinthians 15:31
Be crucified with Christ. Galatians 2:20
Take on the sacrificial-servant mindset of Jesus. Philippians 2:5-8
Present his body a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1
Be transformed by the renewing of his mind. Romans 12:2
Be sober and vigilant. 1 Peter 5:8
Endure Hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3
Disentangle himself from the affairs of this life. 2 Timothy 2:4
Watch and stand fast, be strong in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Rule well his own spirit. Proverbs 16:32
Show the Love of Jesus. John 15:13
FIELD EXERCISE: THE LIVING SACRIFICE
Mission:
Present yourself to God as a living sacrifice.
Scripture:
Romans 12:1–2
Supporting Orders:
Luke 9:23 — “Take up his cross daily...”
1 Corinthians 15:31 — “I die daily.”
Galatians 2:20 — “I am crucified with Christ...”
Philippians 2:5 — “Let this mind be in you...”
1 Peter 5:8 — “Be sober, be vigilant.”
Situation
The world honors dramatic sacrifice.
A man who dies in battle is remembered.
A man who spends decades dying to himself often goes unnoticed.
Yet Scripture calls believers to become living sacrifices. Unlike the sacrifices of the Old Testament, living sacrifices have a unique challenge:
They can climb off the altar.
Objective
Identify one area of your life where self still demands to rule.
Offer that area back to Christ in practical obedience.
Enemy Resistance
Expect resistance in the form of:
Pride
Comfort
Bitterness
Self-preservation
Lust
Anger
Fear
Spiritual apathy
The flesh rarely surrenders quietly.
Field Exercise
Ask yourself:
Where am I most tempted to choose myself over obedience?
Then choose one practical act of surrender today.
Examples:
Apologize first.
Forgive someone who has wronged you.
Turn off the screen and engage your family.
Pray with your wife.
Read Scripture before entertainment.
Refuse the hidden sin no one else sees.
Serve without being noticed.
Encourage rather than criticize.
Stay faithful in ordinary responsibilities.
Ask for help and confess where you have failed.
Debrief
At the end of the day, ask:
Where did I climb off the altar?
Where did grace sustain obedience?
What must I surrender again tomorrow?
Operational Reality
Dead sacrifices remain where they are placed.
Living sacrifices must return willingly.
Every morning offers another opportunity to say:
“Yes, Lord.”
Not because yesterday’s surrender was insufficient,
but because His mercies are new every morning.
The Christian life is not won in one heroic moment.
It is forged through thousands of ordinary acts of faithfulness.
The mission remains the same:
Present yourself to God.
Again.
This is something!!! So great! The faithfulness of walking with Jesus every moment of every day. Loving as He loves us. Love the practical steps and questions for every day. Thank you!
What struck me initially is the idea that 1) I doubt seriously many (if any) of the men storming the beaches of Normandy considered themselves heroes and 2) People who are living out Romans 12:1-2 don't consider themselves heroes, either.
1) I watched an account given by a man who was on the landing craft that day. It is heartbreaking. I've added the link below if you want to watch, but it's hard.
And it's things like this that I think of, when people use the word "hero" today. Frank De Vita made 15 trips to the beaches at Normandy, and after the first one, he was done. He didn't think he could do it again. But he went back, again and again, because he couldn't live with the idea that if he didn't go, they'd just put someone else on the boat, and what if that person died?
2) When I've been on mission trips to Haiti, I've had the opportunity to serve God by serving his people. There are so many things I could share about those trips, but the one thing that sticks with me is that the world, my life at home, all of that faded into the background. We lived it 24x7 and that was the greatest thing I've ever experienced. Just immersed in serving.
Interview of Frank De Vita (Normandy Invasion survivor): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leeB5EoQcIs