Toy Soldiers

Be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10

Visitors enter a war zone when they tour the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum. The museum is home to the largest display of toy soldiers in the world, arranged in dramatic scenes to tell the history of war in miniature. Twenty different world battles, from ancient Egypt to World War II, are reenacted using detailed, individually sculpted figures. The exhibit reminds us that the history of the world has repeatedly been determined by wars and their outcomes.

We enter a war zone when we begin the Christian life, but we aren’t toy soldiers, and our battles aren’t miniaturized. According to Scripture, we struggle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

We’re to be fully aware that temptation is lurking behind every bush, demons are opposing our every step, and our “flesh” is continually making treasonous overtures, trying to undercut our spiritual progress.

We’re more apt to be victorious when we realize we’re at war.

Our temptations can be turned into stepping stones leading to nobility of character. By divine grace, all of us can be victors.

HERBERT LOCKYER