“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” Philippians 3:8 ESV.

If I learned one lesson throughout my time in training at ALERT, it was the value of hardship. In Basic Training, the pressure placed on the men ends up telling a lot about them. It strips away their masks and shows them where they are self-centered and immature. Through this process, hardship matures the men. Growth never happens in a comfort zone. I am reminded of how, on a much greater scale, we are to endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ and do all to please him. May we, like the apostle Paul, count all things in this world as worthless that we may gain Christ.

For the King!

Sergeant Major Matthew Moody

ALERT Battalion Sergeant Major