A NEW YEAR’S REFLECTION ON THE TRF COMMUNITY -- WHAT SNIPERS CAN TEACH US ABOUT FOLLOWING CHRIST
I am sure many of you are still recovering from Christmas and rapidly looking forward to the coming New Year! During this time of year, it is normal for all Rangers to reflect on the missions they have experienced, the brothers they’ve fought beside, and the faith that carried them through long nights and uncertain days. As we reflect, I think considering the discipline snipers embody can offer us some powerful lessons about what it means to follow Christ with both purpose and clarity.
A sniper’s greatest strength is the ability to shut out distractions and keep his eyes fixed on the mission. In the same way, Scripture tells us all as believers to maintain our spiritual focus: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2). This holiday season invites us to practice that same mission‑level focus—to look past the noise and bustle of the season to remember the simple hope Christ brings.
Snipers understand that timing is everything. The right moment is never rushed; it’s recognized. Psalm 37:7 echoes this truth: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Christmas itself is a story of perfect timing. After about four hundred years of waiting for the Old Testament promise, Christ arrived exactly when the world needed Him most. This mirrors the disciplined patience that Rangers know well.
Snipers are trained to notice what others overlook; movement in shadows, patterns in chaos, threats hidden in plain sight. Christians are called to the same spiritual awareness: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13). My prayer is that in this coming New Year, this same awareness permeates each of your lives. I pray we can look around ourselves to see the lonely, the hurting, and the overlooked—and then help them.
Every movement a sniper makes is intentional. Nothing is wasted. Scripture calls believers to the same mindset: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Christmas reminds us that God Himself acted with purpose. Christ’s birth was not random or accidental; it was a rescue mission. Jesus came to earth to save us from our sin. We are invited to live daily with that same purposeful clarity. Be intentional about all you do in the coming New Year.
No sniper operates alone. The bond between sniper and spotter is built on trust, communication, and shared responsibility. Scripture echoes this truth: “Carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). This season, the Ranger ethos of watching over your brothers becomes a powerful expression of Christlike love. Reach out to an old Ranger buddy you have not heard from in a while--this Ranger brotherhood we share is God’s way of keeping us standing!
I will close with a New Year’s Day prayer for you and yours—
Lord, as we celebrate this New Year of life, we thank You for the Rangers who have stood watch in distant lands and for the families who have carried them in love and prayer. Bless every member of our tight-knit Ranger family. Strengthen the weary, comfort the hurting, and surround every home with Your peace. I pray you guide our steps, guard our hearts, and let Your light shine through us in all we do now and forever. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RLTW!
Dan Knight
Spiritual Fitness Advisor
Three Rangers Foundation
d.knight@threerangersfoundation.org
601-988-5087