I keep a paper folded up in my planner.  Every so often I run across it and read it.  It is called the SEAL Ethos and I printed it straight off the Naval Special Warfare Command Website (https://www.nsw.navy.mil/NSW/SEAL-Ethos/). Every time I read through it, I am mightily inspired.  It challenges me to keep in the fight—the fight to be a good Christ follower.

Let me share some quotes from the SEAL Ethos, that I have developed into my own Mom Ethos.

1. “Common Citizens with uncommon desire to succeed.”

There is nothing special about me.  Romans 7:18:  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing:…

However, do I have the desire to please my Holy God? I am fallen flesh, in Christ I am a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).  I am common with an uncommon God.

2. “Forged by adversity…”

Growth requires adversity.  Do I ask God to remove challenging times?  Do I refuse to pray for patience, because I will be tested?  I need to view my adversity as my training ground for becoming a more fit Christian; a stronger, more mature soldier of the faith.  2 Timothy 2:3:  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

3. “By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life.”

I am a Christian, that is my Trident.  I must now accept the responsibility of my profession in Christ.  I need to be in his Word, fellowshipping with the saints, and following all that would entail.  It may mean that I will not involve myself in what some would term “normal” activities.  It may mean that my way of life may not jibe with everyone I come in contact with.  However, it does mean that I am now an ambassador for Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20).  I have been given the … ministry of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18).  I must endeavor to fulfill the responsibilities.

4. “I humbly serve as a guardian… always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves.”

Psalm 82:3-4: Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.  Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

I can not be silent, I must speak boldly.

5. “I serve with honor…The ability to control my emotions and actions, regardless of circumstance…Uncompromising integrity…My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.”

Do I honor God with my life knowing that all circumstances have passed through his hand and are operating in my life for my ultimate good?  If I accept that, then I can be “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5). I no longer need to operate on my fallible emotions but on the mighty foundation of Christ and his Word.

Proverbs 20:7: The just man walketh in his integrity…. 

I should always be seeking right and truth- no turning.

No manipulation in my conversation.” … let your yea be yea; your nay, nay;…” James 5:12

6. “We expect to lead and be led.”

Jesus is the “captain of my salvation” (Hebrews 2:10) Therefore I must be led by Him.  I am also called to lead — “teachers of good things.” (Titus 2:3).  It should be my expectation that I will follow the orders of my leader (Jesus) and to lead others in my sphere towards Him.

7. “I will never quit.”

1 Corinthians 16:13: …stand fast in the faith…

Ephesians 6:13:…and having done all, to stand.

There is no retreat in the Christian life.  I stand on the Word of God and the Truth of the Gospel.

8. “My training is never complete.”

Philippians 3:13-14: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I  have not arrived and I will not arrive in this fallen world.  I know that I will be in training for Christ forever.  He is my salvation and my sanctification.  If I keep my eyes on Him, I know that I always have more to learn.

9. “…the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve…”

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with the patience the race that is set before us.

The testimonies of the Bible saints, the testimonies of those that have gone before us, the testimonies of those around us — a “great cloud of witnesses” to “steady my resolve.”

10. “I will not fail.”

Deuteronomy 31:8: And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

I will not fail, because Christ will not fail in his plans and purposes.  It is not me, it is Christ