I became really angry at the man in the uniform.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but me and someone else here just lost our families in one of the terrorist attacks. And The Confederacy killed my brother also. Surely you aren't expecting this country to fight immediately. If you think all of us are ready to fight, I'm sorry, but I'm not. I just lost my family and I'm the only one left. I know the draft rules are different but..."

"Hold up. I am Lieutenant Colonel James Townsend. I am the leader of
Theta Company and I have seen most of the fighting. My unit has most of the casualties and I personally knew your brother. He told me to come find your father if he died. You're all thats left, soldier. And you're going."

-six weeks later-

Our whole youth group had gotten drafted. Of all of the 2 million people in the city we were drafted here.

"I can't believe this happened! It always happens like this. When everything falls apart things just get worse and worse, and, not to mention, we're going to a foreign land to probably chase ghosts!" I said.

"Nathan, where is your faith at? We're going to protect our homeland from people like the terrorists! Don't lose heart and don't give up!" Todd said.

"Todd's right, you know," The Holy Spirit whispered in my heart.

What if I die over there? What if I lose everything over there, God? I prayed.

"If you lose everything you still have Me. No matter what happens."

Okay God, here goes... I prayed, Father God, I need You every hour. You are my strength, my song, my rock, my everything. I am nothing without You. Where You go, I'll go, and as long as You are with me, I shall not be afraid. Please, keep me safe and protect me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

I walked past the Lt. Colonel.

"Hey, Lt. Colonel, I'm sorry about what happened when we saw each other last. I lost my cool because I felt that everything was crashing around me." I said.

"Sargent, you will find that many times in life, everything will be crashing around you. You've got to seek the cornerstone of your faith- and I mean Jesus Christ. Don't get bogged down in doubt or you will fail. Keep your head up and fix your eyes on Jesus."

"Thank you, Lt. Colonel. Where are we headed?"

"We are headed to a town on the west coast of the Midina Confederacy. Its name is Anzina, and our forces have been pushing to secure a supply line to our troops on the mainland. You and your squad members have been selected to go in by boat and take it over. You Will meet up with the 432nd Armored Division, seize the town, and the rest of Theta company and I will push on to the next town. Dismissed. And soldier..."

"Yes, Lt. Colonel?" I asked.

"Don't forget who's child you are. Jesus is always with you, He mends the broken heart and takes away numbness and pain."

He gave me a big bear hug and said, "from this day forward, don't ever live your life in defeat. If God is for you, who can be against you? Now get on that boat and go protect your country."

"Yes sir!" I snapped at attention and said one final prayer:

Jesus, if You are with me, I can face my giants. From this day forward, help me to always look up in the face of defeat, and help me to slay my giants one at a time. In Jesus name, amen.