DUTY CALLS

I’m currently reading an old devotional book written by William Barclay, a British Bible scholar.  His context leaks out in nearly everything he writes.

Today I read of a situation where a group of elite, British Coldstream Guards who were under siege fought their way out of this dilemma, but with tremendous losses among their ranks!  Out of two battalions, only two hundred men were left. 

These survivors were cared for by the Royal Air Force. 

“A Coldstream Guards major was talking to the R.A.F. unit’s medical officer.  The R.A.F. man said, ‘After all, as Foot Guards, you had no option but to have a go.’  Another R.A.F. man said: ‘It must be pretty tough to be in the Brigade of Guards, because the tradition compels you to carry on irrespective of circumstances.’

It was simply a sense of duty which turned these men into heroes.”

As an American, I’m confident that our special forces fighters have had similar experiences where the tradition compelled them to bravery and the risking of their lives!

Being compelled by duty seems to be a less admirable trait in the current culture.  Duty seems often thought of as mundane, trivial, and obligatory. 

Yet duty gives direction and clarity in many cases.  It leaves no doubt.  It helps to sustain a sense of purpose.  It develops faithfulness and creates camaraderie! 

“There was never anyone in whom the sense of duty was stronger than it was in Jesus Christ.  He went to His work saying: ‘I must.’”

·        “I must be about My Father’s business”  -  Luke 2:49

·        “I must preach the gospel”  -  Luke 4:43

·        He tells His disciples that He “must go to Jerusalem”  -  Matthew 16:21

·        “The Son of Man must suffer” -  Mark 8:31

·        “The Son of Man must be delivered up”  -  Luke 24:7

·        “I must work the works of Him that sent Me”  -  John 9:4

·        “The Son of Man must be lifted up”  -  John 12:34

Duty sometimes gets us up and out-the-door.  But as a result of duty’s motivation, good things happen and good connections are made!  Things get accomplished!

Duty is not a bad word!  It’s just fallen into disuse in a culture that glorifies fun, indulgence and diversion! 

Thankfully, many ARE still motivated by duty!  Our military, our police, our first-responders - as well as others would still answer the question, "Why did you risk your life?" with the response: "It was my duty!"