I hate war. I hate the thought of countries being at war. I’ve never been in a war. War is not something I need to experience in order to know how I feel about it. The Bible, and world history, tells me that we will never escape war while here on Earth. This frustrates me.
Those in my family who have seen war rarely ever talk about it. My uncle saw war in Vietnam. My brother saw it in Afghanistan. I’m grateful that they both made it back alive. They would both tell you that their experience has deeply affected them.
I have close friends who met in the second Iraq war and got married while on deployment. Having been home from the conflict for over a decade, this couple quietly leave the country on the fourth of July. The explosions that are meant to celebrate and commemorate the independence and freedom of this country, put them mentally and emotionally back in the hell they escaped years ago. Fortunately, living in the Pacific Northwest, Canada is only a few short hours drive. No bombs bursting in air up there at that time in the big maple… it’s a refuge.
My friends and family are home, and are alive. For that, I am grateful.
I don’t ever expect to understand the depth of their hurt. I see it though when every once and a great while, they speak so highly of the men and women they served with who didn’t come home. They speak of their character, grit, leadership, and wisdom. That these individuals demonstrated what Jesus calls the greatest love,
“No greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13).
It’s usually said of them that they were the best among them.
My brother wrote this on Facebook a couple years ago, "A smaller group of Americans experience this in a very personal way (Memorial Day) because when we think about Service Members who gave their lives, we start missing all our dead friends. We think about their kids who don't have their mom or dads, we wonder if we could have done something to prevent it, then we hope they're family is getting along ok and feel guilty for having lost contact with them." It's deep, it's significant, and it's life altering.
On this memorial day, may we stop for a moment and remember.
Let us remember those who laid their lives down and did not get back up.
Let us remember the families and friends who grieve their loss.
Let us remember the character, grit, and values exemplified in these men and women.
Let us remember to pray for those that are hurting.
Let us remember to pray for our leaders in government.
Let us remember to pray for peace.
Let us remember to be that peace in our interactions with others.
Let us remember that one action of love can have a ripple effect that transforms a community and a people over time.
Let us remember that we can lay our lives down for those around us, as we seek to serve others, in honor and in memory of those who have fallen down range.
Just about every week, as a pastor, I preach for us to look unto Jesus Christ as our example in life, service, and love. I’m confident of those that my family and friends speak about, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, are worthy examples to imitate in their character, grit, dedication, and love. If everyone in this world could take a page out of their play book, that maybe… just maybe… war could be avoided.
I pray that this memorial day will be one filled remembrance. Remembrance of the lives that were given, the lives that live on, and the life that can be lived. As Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father, who is in Heaven… Your kingdom come, Your will be done, here on Earth as it is in Heaven.” Heaven, where there is no more war. Heaven, where there is no more pain. Heaven, where this no more death. Heaven, where there is no more tears. Come Lord Jesus, come. Even so, come quickly.
