I love learning the history of things — and one topic that never stops fascinating me is how calendars were set up. Did you know that in both early Jewish and Roman calendars, this month is the first of the year? In the Bible, it is called Nisan, and in the Roman calendar it is Martius — or March. The name comes from Mars, the Roman god of war, because this was the month military campaigns resumed. Waging war in winter was foolish, but the change of seasons signaled that it was time to move.
It is no coincidence that “march” is the term used to describe walking in military formation. Marching is an art form. I remember the early days of basic training — a bunch of undisciplined, untrained ragamuffins stumbling over ourselves. We were out of step and couldn’t maintain proper distancing in rank and file. But by the end of the week? We were locked in step together. A well-executed military formation is truly a sight to behold — moving as one solid, unified unit.
Walking in “formation” requires constant, intentional adjustments. You must stay in step, dress to the right (meaning, align yourself with the person beside you), and hold your place in the file. One person can throw off an entire formation. Being out of step turns you into an obvious bobblehead — bouncing out of sync with everyone around you. And here’s the thing: it’s easy to fall out of step. There is no autopilot. You have to stay dialed in, or you’ll have an angry drill sergeant in your face.
Ephesians 5:7-10 “Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”
I love this! We are called to produce fruit — that which is good, right, and true — and it all comes down to how we walk. Then Paul drops this word: “discern.” It immediately calls to mind the discipline of staying in formation. But here’s the twist — we don’t align ourselves with the people around us. We fix our eyes on what is pleasing to our Lord and let that be our measure.
So often, we live life on autopilot — and when we do, we naturally slip out of step. We might even forget we’re supposed to be in formation at all. But here’s the reminder: we no longer walk according to our own ideas and impulses. We are directed by the Lord of Light. We don’t wander haphazardly — we walk with purpose and intention. There is a battle raging around us. The season for war is upon us. So let this be your call to attention: it’s time to March!