22 December | Youth
«But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.» Hebrews 10:39
The story of Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda is an example of loyalty and perseverance. He was an elite lieutenant trained as an intelligence officer and in guerrilla tactics. In 1944, when he was 22 years old, he was sent to Lubang Island in the Philippines to battle against American troops. Onoda planned special missions against the enemy army from his hideout in the woods. He had non-negotiable criteria, such as never surrendering, not conducting suicide attacks, and remaining firm until reinforcements arrived. World War II ended in September 1945, but Lieutenant Onoda did not find out. For him, the fight continued.
He did not trust the enemy. Planes planted leaflets in the jungle informing him of the end of the war, but he interpreted them as attempts to capture him. Following this pattern, he lived in isolation, forging com-bat strategies for 30 more years. The conflict only ended for him in 1974, when the Japanese government sent Onoda’s former commander into the jungle to order him to lay down his weapons because the war had ended. Only with this measure was he convinced.
This story is full of important lessons for our journey in the midst of the great controversy. We are in an ancient war, and we cannot afford to fall into the traps of the enemy. We cannot lower our weapons. Unlike Onoda’s story, the fight is not over, but, in fact, the enemy wants to convince us it is.
On the other hand, we are not in a position to fight alone. We cannot imagine that we can hide in the jungle of our spiritual pride and think that we have the strength to resist the enemy on our own. We depend exclusively on the Commander. He is at our side and is powerful to defeat the enemy. Our part is a resolute decision to remain enlisted in the winning army, appropriating the weapons available in the heavenly arsenal. Only in this way will we be victorious.
Soon the Commander will come and rescue us from the jungle of sin. He will declare the end of the conflict. You may go through tough times when you question whether or not it is worth continuing the fight. This is all part of war. Do not worry. Just make the crucial decision not to backtrack. Only stop fighting when you are sure the war is over. Only then will you be able to lay down your weapons and rest in safety.