on September 12 2026 at 10:04 AM
I saw something the other day, which reminded me of when I was in the U.S. military. It was something to the affect of gaining rank. Through my years of experience, I know it takes time, trust, skill, knowledge and experience. Take the time to read, research, move out of your comfort zone and stand strong.
Rank is hard to make and easy to lose.
Scripture already named the reason:
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, ... moreI saw something the other day, which reminded me of when I was in the U.S. military. It was something to the affect of gaining rank. Through my years of experience, I know it takes time, trust, skill, knowledge and experience. Take the time to read, research, move out of your comfort zone and stand strong.
Rank is hard to make and easy to lose.
Scripture already named the reason:
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.”
— Luke 12:48
The stripe, the title, the authority is not a trophy. It is a trust. The work that earns it is slow, hidden, and often thankless. The moment it is given, the standard rises. More eyes. More souls depending on you. Less room for pride, shortcuts, or the old excuses.
That is why so many want the rank before the work. They want the honor without the yoke. They confuse the symbol with the substance. They forget that rank is rented, not owned — and the rent is paid every day in faithfulness, example, and accountability.
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
Do the work first. Carry the load when no one is pinning anything on you. Then, if God and those over you place the rank in your hands, keep earning it. The ones who treat it as already paid for are usually the ones who lose it first.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.”
— 1 Peter 5:6
Remember who we work for: Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam.
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Thy name give glory.”
Yours In Christ,
Always a servant,
CAA Patricia Fraser
Priory of St. Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
