Callsign Light: The Way of the Warrior

By Drake Hunter | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Most people know I had a robust Air Force career, 21 years in all. In my early years, I found myself at Camp Bullis in Texas for Air Base Ground Defense training. It was demanding work—long days, heavy gear, minimal sleep. A major focus of that training was mastering map and compass skills. The Army Ranger instructors didn’t waste words—especially when speaking to those of us wearing Air Force uniforms. Out there, confusion wasn’t just inconvenient; it was dangerous.

Much was happening. We practiced a lot, but one thing that stood out more than others was that we were trained to orient ourselves using the sun during the day and the moon at night. 

Somewhere between sweat and calculation, a simple fact settled into me—both then and even more clearly now: The moon does not produce its own light. It reflects light. 

That fact was tactical then. Today, it is theological!

Let’s turn from the training ground to the truth field.

When you step back and think about it, it makes sense why Scripture uses the sun, moon, and stars as signs and symbols. 

What do I mean? 

Well, we know this: light signifies life. Darkness signifies confusion. Illumination signifies direction. So, like a compass, what’s the guiding principle? People are like the moon, and God is like the sun. Take the sun away, and the moon is a dark rock.

It’s simple to understand that the moon’s brightness isn’t self-generated. It depends entirely on a source outside of itself. It’s visible only because it faces the light. Please understand that dependence isn’t a weakness; it’s designed that way.

Scripture clearly states this: 

“God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” ~ 1 John 1:5. 

God isn’t partly illuminated; He isn’t occasionally bright. He is Light—actual moral, spiritual, and ultimate Light—the source of truth, clarity, direction, and life itself. 

And at the end of history, as Revelation describes, this is where everything is headed: 

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” ~ Revelation 21:23. 

“Night will be no more… for the Lord God will be their light.” ~ Revelation 22:5. 

In the end, there is no borrowed brightness, no secondary glow, no emotional illumination—only God.

Please grasp this: the glory of God lights everything. And the Lamb—Jesus Christ—is the lamp.

This brings us to this week’s false belief: “Lead with your heart.” 

Sounds good, but be cautious. Your heart feels, reacts, and responds to circumstances. However, feelings are like moonlight—they change with phases, dim under clouds, and vanish when turned away from the source. 

Please, please understand—your heart was never meant to be your sun. God is. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:8: “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

Notice that phrase carefully: Light in the Lord—not light in yourself, not light from within, not sincerity-generated light. Light in the Lord. You shine when you turn toward Him.

At Camp Bullis, if you misread your compass, you drifted. You might not notice it at first, but over distance, the error compounds. Emotion functions the same way. If you navigate life solely by feelings, you may feel confident—maybe even courageous. But without the Source, you slowly drift. Jesus did not say, “Trust your instincts.” He said, “Follow Me,” and following means alignment. 

Alignment produces illumination, which in turn provides direction. Therefore, no more aimless or lost souls, you reflect the image you were created in.

The battle for guidance begins inside. So, will I navigate by emotion? Or will I turn toward God?

The moon does not argue with the sun. It simply turns (repents), and when it turns, it shines.

So turn—turn your thoughts toward His Word, your will toward His commands, and your heart toward His authority. Because one day—according to Revelation—there will be no more night. Every step of obedience now is preparation for that day.

Our war tactic this week: Trust the Commander’s voice over your compass. 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” ~ Psalm 119:105. 

A lamp shows the next step, and a lamp is enough for any warrior to find their way in the Art of War—Jesus Style.

And as always, remember: God is here. God is able. God is good.

Pastor Drake

I’ll be continuing this conversation later this week on the Just Sayin’ podcast, where we’ll take a deeper look at what Callsign Light: The Way of the Warrior.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so, we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.