Veterans Day
And
Beyond
On Friday we Americans observed the Veterans Day holiday. This special day is set aside each year to honor those among us who have served our country well as veterans of our military. This is a special day to say thank you to these courageous veterans who have seen, done, and observed things that most of could never begin to imagine.
Earlier still in the week just past we had the opportunity vote in a general election that determined the makeup of the House of Representatives, Senate, and the Presidency. It is quite unfortunate that with all the freedoms we have been afforded by the men and women who have sacrificed in wearing the uniform of the United States of America that we still have large numbers among us who do not exercise this right. Men, women, and children are dying at the hands of tyrannical leaders throughout the world who wish that they could have even the least bit of input into how they are governed, and yet we stay home.
Now with the election behind us we must move on to one of the hallmarks of our republic, the peaceful transition of power. Not everyone is going to be on board with the incoming regime, just as not everyone (including myself) was on board with the current regime at its inception. However, the power of the people is found in the ballot box, and an open dialogue, which is as our forefathers had designed. We are called on to continue to perpetuate a political conversation for the betterment of our nation. Dialogue is a two-way street and cannot meaningfully exist in a “politically correct” environment.
Beyond the role of our military veterans in preserving our rights and responsibilities to the republic, their efforts have also allowed us the opportunity to worship under the first Amendment to our Constitution. As Christians we need to look to another group of veterans with awe and respect, the elderly of our congregations. These folks have a world of experience in battling the powers of darkness that have been at war with God’s people for centuries. It would be wise for each of us to be engaged with these persevering saints. The struggles that they have been through, if we will pay attention, can provide tremendous insight for us as we face the spiritual challenges that are ever-changing and yet enduring.
As you head out to church today make a special effort to thank some of the Spiritual Veterans that have paved the way of faith for you and your children. Learn from them and then share what you learn, it is through these relationships that we can grow, and we can keep from falling into a similar fate as the folks in the book of Judges 2:10
“When all that generation had been
Gathered to their fathers,
Another generation arose after them
Who did not know the Lord
Nor the work He had done for Israel”
This was a dark time in the history of Israel and led to this closing statement in Judges 21:25
“In those days there was no king,
Everyone did what was right,
In his own eyes.”
If we are not careful to learn from both our military veterans and the veterans of faith we too could end up in this desperate situation. May we all seek to protect and proliferate the knowledge and wisdom so evident before us. If we do this then we will Do Well in our life’s journey, and as a nation
May God Bless America!
And
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