Yes, many service men and women died in the act of protecting our country.
Thankfully, many lived too.
Dad was active in World War II ...and I thank God he lived. Many more lives were saved as a result of bold and courageous efforts by so many.
Obviously, I would not be alive today, if Dad had not returned from the war.
Many of us know someone personally who fought in a war. Many of us don't.
I think sometimes God is viewed in a similar fashion to what many people think of our service men and women.
Consider two families who shared experiences of servicemen.
She loved her husband, who was serving in the marines ...and she told her husband she was naming their first daughter, Maureen.
Their neighbor had a son. The husband was a career army person. Their son was named, Arnie.
Being neighbors, Arnie and Maureen saw much of each other. Their moms chatted while the two children sat quietly together with them, mostly drawing pictures of their dads in the service. And every picture had the red, white, and blue ...the proud American flag.
In school, Arnie was very protective of Maureen. It seemed that young boys felt the threat of rejection ...especially from pretty girls, so they often made contrary remarks. Or if they liked a girl, but didn't want to admit it, or just wanted the girl's attention ...they teased her. Maureen got teased often ...but, Arnie didn't like that, and was very protective of her.
As it was, Maureen and Arnie grew up too fast in the eyes of their parents. And there were many tears in their eyes ...tears of happiness, as Maureen & Arnie got married.
Nearly a year later, Arnie tells Maureen, "I've never been happier. I can't imagine being happier than I am now."
Arnie wanted to tell Maureen how much he loved her. He had something very important that he wanted to tell her ...and it wouldn't be easy. He had just been notified that his number came up ...and he'd be going to war.
Maureen also had something she wanted to tell Arnie. She smiles, "I sort of feel the same way, but I can think of one way I'd be happier."
Arnie asks, "What did I do now? Or what haven't I done?" He knows he'd been promising to take her on vacation, and now he won't be able to before he has to report to his assigned base. He smiles, "Or was that an intimate invitation?"
Maureen smiles, "It was sort of a result of one ...what you've done has made me happier. We're going to have a baby!"
Maureen was right ...that did make Arnie happier, yet, it was now even more difficult to tell her what he had to tell her.
Maureen kept Arnie posted about every little bump and every little kick ...as their child stirred about.
Arnie lived each day waiting for her letters. He tried not to talk about the war ...he just asked about how she was doing, when she felt their baby was due, and how much he loved her.
Just as Arnie Jr. was born ...the letters stopped coming. She did not hear from her husband again.
It was maddening for Maureen. He was rumored to be a prisoner of war. And as each year passed, Maureen's hope of him returning diminished.
Arnie Jr. was now eleven ...and it seemed like eternity for Maureen. She enjoyed every moment with their son, but she had mostly lost hope concerning her husband. He must have died.
Arnie Jr. had known all about his dad, and how proud Mom was of him ...and he was proud too.
He also saw Mom's tears, though it was difficult to share them ...as he had never met dad. He just hugged Mom ...and told her he loved her.
A new kid, Kurt, moved into the neighborhood.
Kurt bragged about his own dad ...and proudly told how tough his dad was. He asked Arnie, "Where's your dad? Do you even know who your dad is?"
Arnie proudly said, "He's a POW."
Kurt laughs, "What's a POW? I'll give you a POW ...pow!!" He punches Arnie, "For a soldier's boy, you aren't very tough!"
Arnie rubs his bloody nose, "I didn't think you were the enemy ...so, I didn't think I had to defend myself."
Kurt laughs, "I bet you don't even have a dad ...your mom probably just made up the story. Do you ever hear from your dad?"
It so happens that the very next day ...Arnie Jr. sits down with Mom, as she reads a letter that Dad had just been released by the enemy, and would be returning home.
At this point, there is much doubt that has entered Arnie's mind. Maybe his mom has met someone, and is just making it up. Perhaps Mom has good intentions ...but, Arnie Jr. just wants the truth.
And the truth is, he does believe Mom is making it up at this point. Mom has a right to be happy, ...and if she needs closure, and restarting this way gives her that opportunity to move on, well, who can blame her.
But, Arnie Jr. doesn't want to pretend ...so, why can't Mom just say she is going to be married to this man, instead of pretending it is Dad??
The day comes when Mom says the man arriving this day is her husband, Arnie Sr., but Arnie Jr. doesn't believe it ...until he sees that he looks just like Dad.
It's true.
How do we view God??
God talked to Abraham ...He led the Israelites out of Egypt ...He directed Joshua to return to the promise land. From King David ...to King Solomon, the kingdom grew. But, as is the case with many things, rapid growth does not always coincide well with good maintenance. And as the kingdom split ...there was no defining moment that it may come back together until about a thousand years later.
A thousand years is a long time ...and way beyond anyone's individual hope. We hope well for our children, and our grandchildren ...but, few can fathom that their individual hopes and aspirations will endure through the far-reaching generations of a thousand years hence.
Yet, that is when Jesus appeared.
Following Jesus, were His disciples ...who had a real impact on the world around them by their undying dedication, and often dying in the process.
Many horrific things continue to go on in the world ...now two thousand years hence. And to a number of us, many doubts enter in, just like they did with Arnie Junior. We know the stories of what our Father has done for us, and we have the letters ...the Bible, clearly His Word to us. But, if we think the letters have stopped coming ...and if we don't see the miracles, nor have the direct communication, then we may doubt and wonder how interested and involved He is with us.
Yet, if we feel God isn't doing anything lately, like the song, "What Have You Done For Me Lately" ...then we have it all wrong. We are supposed to be involved in the doing ...realizing that God is doing it through us, testifying to others about Jesus.
In wars, many died to save others ...yet, our knowledge of that fact does not bring us to necessarily live our lives any differently. And similarly, how much differently do we live our lives, knowing that Jesus died so we can be saved??
We take so much for granted ...and we do little in the way of learning, to avoid repeating past mistakes.
And yes, war always is an ugly thing ...yet, what is of ultimate importance is realizing the motivation why wars are engaged in.
Some people enter into war to help restrain evil ...and some wars are fought to eliminate good, so evil can thrive.
The propaganda plays on the ignorance of people who not only have been negligent in historical facts, but who can be easily swayed by emotions ...mostly of the bitter and angry nature.
So, what is the sad result??
"THEY (WHO) SEEK TO ESTABLISH SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT BASED ON THE REGIMENTATION OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS BY A HANDFUL OF INDIVIDUAL RULERS...CALL THIS A NEW ORDER. IT IS NOT NEW AND IT IS NOT ORDER." ...this is what F.D.R. said, the echoing voice of our modern progressive movement.
I see that though some can see much truth in that statement, there is a disturbing truth that much untruth is presented as truth ...and some of us would call that deceit. Deceit gains the favor of those gullible enough not to recognize it.
Sadly, there are those who do not clearly see what is good and what is bad. And they follow the self-serving crusades of those who pretend to validate each and every individual value, empowering the support they need ...but, what many of us don't realize is that it's only for the interim. There are certain individuals who are driven to be king, and that can only be achieved by willing pawns, especially those who do not know they are pawns.
How can those who warn others of danger ...be a threat?? Doesn't it amaze how those who are a true threat ...are given little consideration??
One group says a behavior is wrong, and will attempt to talk with you about it. The other group will observe a behavior and proclaim that person should die. Which group do you feel is the real threat??
This is not a hypothetical question. Just this year, I read of a leader of an African nation say he was not in favor of certain behavior ...and would give a warning when that behavior was observed. Most of the leaders of the surrounding nations had a policy that supported killing those engaging in that behavior, and often without warning. Which leader do you supposed was challenged for his beliefs??
You are correct ...the one who allows all those who challenge his beliefs to live.
I find the only meaning in life through accepting the One who gives eternal life. And Jesus does not want us to cleanse the earth through killing ...but, by teaching others about Him, and about how He wants us to live.
And like I said,"We are supposed to be involved in the doing ...realizing that God is doing it through us, testifying to others about Jesus."Let's look at a national election, where people volunteer to distribute information and encourage them to get out to vote. I don't see them complaining because it seems the work is taking too long ...they are driven to get the work done and actually would like more time to see that everyone is reached. And we should have the same kind of zeal, wanting for everyone to have a chance to hear God's Word.
Enlightenment, not elimination ...is the true path. But, the true Light is not just any type of light. And the true path is not just any path ...the path that leads us to Jesus, leads us to repentance, not retaliation. And it leads us to inspiration from God, not imagination and individual interpretation.
God's Word is clear ...and clearly it is a welcome relief from a world of confusion.
