A thought about Veterans Day
I was watching a video entitle "Reville" yesterday. Here 'tis, if you want to watch it. It's a tribute to Veterans, so it's appropriate for the day.
This isn't an excuse to just publish that video, though.
I was thinking over the video contents, and it occurred to me that it's sort of like our Christian Walk.
Summary of the video:
A retired Navy serviceman (I think he's an officer, but I'm not sure) is living in what I assume is a Senior Living Center. Every morning, first thing, he gets up and goes outside and hoists the flag. It's important to note that he's in his jammies. Well, one day a retired ARMY serviceman moves in across the little yard where the flagpole is. The rivalry is on - each of them races the other, every morning, to be the one to put THEIR United States Flag on the flagpole, and salute it with hand over heart.
The rivalry escalates, from "being first" to wearing medals, and, finally, full uniform while hoisting the flag. That is where the video "got to me" - and where I started thinking.
Before, when they were just in their jammies, whoever hoisted the flag also did the hand-over-heart salute. The other retired back to his room to read his paper. The rivalry was the important thing, and the defeated-for-a-day retiree would try again tomorrow.
However, when they both came out in their dress uniforms, something else happened.
The Navy man was a little ahead of the Army man, especially since the Army man was also dependent upon a walker. When the Army man, in full dress uniform, saw that he wasn't going to get to hoist HIS flag that day, instead of turning around and going back into his room, he abandoned his walker for the last 2 steps, walked to stand next to the flagpole at full attention while the flag was raised. Then, they BOTH stood back and saluted the flag. Differences and bitter rivalry were put aside in that one shining moment - because showing respect to their country, and their flag, while in full dress uniform, was more important than any differences in service.
But the point is this: how much MORE are WE as Christians bound together! Regardless of our differences, regardless of our "rivalries" - all melt away at the foot of the Cross. We are united in Christ far, far more than we are divided by man.
"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on hthe whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against ithe schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of wthe evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,"
- Ephesians 6:11-17
Better than any earthly uniform, ever.
Though with a scornful wonder
This world sees her oppressed.
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed.
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song!
Through toil and tribulation
And tumult of her wars,
She waits the consummation
Of Peace forevermore!
And with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest
And the great CHURCH VICTORIOUS
Shall be the Church at rest.
This isn't an excuse to just publish that video, though.
I was thinking over the video contents, and it occurred to me that it's sort of like our Christian Walk.
Summary of the video:
A retired Navy serviceman (I think he's an officer, but I'm not sure) is living in what I assume is a Senior Living Center. Every morning, first thing, he gets up and goes outside and hoists the flag. It's important to note that he's in his jammies. Well, one day a retired ARMY serviceman moves in across the little yard where the flagpole is. The rivalry is on - each of them races the other, every morning, to be the one to put THEIR United States Flag on the flagpole, and salute it with hand over heart.
The rivalry escalates, from "being first" to wearing medals, and, finally, full uniform while hoisting the flag. That is where the video "got to me" - and where I started thinking.
Before, when they were just in their jammies, whoever hoisted the flag also did the hand-over-heart salute. The other retired back to his room to read his paper. The rivalry was the important thing, and the defeated-for-a-day retiree would try again tomorrow.
However, when they both came out in their dress uniforms, something else happened.
The Navy man was a little ahead of the Army man, especially since the Army man was also dependent upon a walker. When the Army man, in full dress uniform, saw that he wasn't going to get to hoist HIS flag that day, instead of turning around and going back into his room, he abandoned his walker for the last 2 steps, walked to stand next to the flagpole at full attention while the flag was raised. Then, they BOTH stood back and saluted the flag. Differences and bitter rivalry were put aside in that one shining moment - because showing respect to their country, and their flag, while in full dress uniform, was more important than any differences in service.
But the point is this: how much MORE are WE as Christians bound together! Regardless of our differences, regardless of our "rivalries" - all melt away at the foot of the Cross. We are united in Christ far, far more than we are divided by man.
"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on hthe whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against ithe schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of wthe evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,"
- Ephesians 6:11-17
Better than any earthly uniform, ever.
Though with a scornful wonder
This world sees her oppressed.
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed.
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song!
Through toil and tribulation
And tumult of her wars,
She waits the consummation
Of Peace forevermore!
And with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest
And the great CHURCH VICTORIOUS
Shall be the Church at rest.
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