14. Where's Your Intel
Every fighting unit, from small squads to whole divisions and armies, needs reliable intelligence on which to base their actions. Fighting without "intel" is called "fighting blind." It has always been that way. Even the most ancient empires had individuals known as the king's "eyes" or "eyes and ears" who gathered needed information. But can you imagine modern military leaders engaged in warfare sitting down to read the newspaper or to watch a news update to get the intel they need? Modern military and agency intelligence specialists do utilize "open source" information, but that has to be enhanced, of course, by much more detailed information gained through the dedicated work of often unsung heroes who collect, assess, and present the information their leaders need.
The idea of generals and other warriors getting their information only from newspapers or other mainstream news media might seem far-fetched, but in the warfare to which the believer is called, how many Christians are content to get their intel on the problems that rage around the world only from occasionally looking at the available news media? The answer is probably that most are.
But just as a military commander could not really fight the battles in which he or she is engaged by means of occasional news summaries, we can't really know what is happening to the degree to do much about it without more specialized intel. What many Christians do not realize is that specialized intel for Christian use is available. There are a number of Christian aid agencies and news sources, such as Christian Today, Christian Post, and the website persecution.org, that do an excellent job of reporting issues – in detail – that affect Christians and their battles around the world.
One source worth mention that puts out free non-commercial updates is the Barnabas Fund (Barnabas Aid in the U.S.). You may have heard of this organization which is actively engaged in helping persecuted Christians in over 50 countries around the world. For example, just recently – as was even reported by some mainstream news sources – they helped fly out a number of persecuted Christians whose lives were threatened in areas of the Sudan, and others who were in mortal danger in Syria.
The Barnabas group also produces and makes available "actionable intel" for Christian use. Their publications and websites give detailed summaries of threatened areas and peoples around the world. In addition, the group emails situation updates and also provides daily prayer guides with current information you can utilize. The articles are well researched and can transform both your understanding of immediate and dire problems around the globe as well as your ability to effectively pray and help in whatever way possible.
Good intelligence reports assess the nature of the problems they examine and also suggest what can be done about them. The information produced by Barnabas Fund and many other Christian aid and news organizations does exactly that – it provides both threat assessment and action assessment enabling believers to fulfill part of their calling effectively and with knowledge. The warrior of the Way cannot afford to "fight blind" any more than warriors of this world can. Are you getting the intel you need for effective Christian combat? Where's your intel?