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A Slice of Infinity
On the Home Front
by Betsy Childs

The idea of the "home front" rose to prominence during the first and second world wars. As society became more industrialized, the winning of wars--which historically had depended upon battle strategy, skill, and resolve--became increasingly dependent upon which country could churn out the most munitions and machines. The battles were fought on the front lines, but civilians understood that the war could not be won unless those on the home front contributed their efforts.

The home front conjures up pictures of Rosie the Riveter, women rolling up their sleeves to work in factories, and children planting victory gardens. Those whose husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers fought on the front lines assisted them by conserving and funneling all available energy and materials into the war effort. They did not sit at home and wait for the war to be won by those who could see the enemy. I believe that we, as Christians, need to take a similar sort of attitude toward the war that we face.

Let me make myself clear. When I say that we are in a war, I am not referring to a political or military conflict. I am not referring to a clash of cultures, or even a war for our culture. I am referring to the type of spiritual war referred to in Ephesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This is a war fought in our own hearts.

We have been and will continue to be in the midst of a great spiritual struggle. If we desire to win the war, we must take the long view of things. Whether or not we actually admit it, it can be tempting to leave the fighting to those we perceive as manning the frontlines: pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and others engaged in (what we refer to as) full time ministry. These are the ones advancing the kingdom of God, you may think. I don't have the gifts that they have, you may tell yourself.

This is not a biblical attitude. The New Testament describes believers as members of a body, each with different functions. Though some parts may get more credit, each depends upon the others to fulfill its function. Or to return to our metaphor, those fighting on the home front are as vital to the advance of the kingdom of God as those on the front lines.

When our country was at war, many people discovered they had aptitudes they would never have otherwise uncovered. We each have different spiritual gifts, and different roles to play in the advance of the kingdom. But there are a few general things that each of us can do to support the work on the front lines.

Most obviously, we can support the advance of the kingdom through our financial resources. I'm not talking about disdaining the good gifts God has given us to pursue an ascetic lifestyle. I'm talking about giving up good things for something better, willingly making sacrifices so that those on the front lines can have whatever they need to fight the battle well. John Piper describes this attitude as a "wartime lifestyle":

"There is a war going on. All talk of a Christian's right to live luxuriantly 'as a child of the King' in this atmosphere sounds hollow--especially since the King himself is stripped for battle. It is more helpful to think of a 'wartime' lifestyle than a merely 'simple' lifestyle. Simplicity can be very inward directed, and may benefit no one else. A wartime lifestyle implies that there is a great and worthy cause for which to spend and be spent" (2 Corinthians 12:15).(1)

Secondly, we can train up children who are well-equipped for battle. If the Lord tarries, this war will continue to be fought by our children and our children's children. Even those of us who do not have our own children can assist those who do to raise them in the fear of the Lord. The home front is where soldiers are nurtured and prepared for battle. And when they are ready, we must not hold on to them, but let them go out to fight the battle for which they've been prepared.

Finally, and most importantly, we must worship God in spirit and in truth. Our own hearts are the home ground that must not be surrendered. Those in the spiritual realm who seek to harm us would like nothing better than to see us spend our outward efforts for God's kingdom, while inwardly we have given our hearts to some other love. We, as the bride of Christ, wait and work on the home front for the return of our bridegroom. When he comes, may he find us faithful.

Betsy Childs is associate writer at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.

(1)John Piper, Desiring God, (Portland: Multnomah, 1986), 165.

© 2006 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. All Rights Reserved.