Flanders Field |
Gleaning from Pastor Jerry’s sermon as we observed Veterans
Day and he reminded us that war is a terrible thing; yet it seems to be
inevitable.
World War I was called the War to end all wars. Our soldiers fought in Europe
to bring peace. The Flanders Field
American Cemetery
and Memorial in Belgium
occupies a 6.2-acre site. At this peaceful site rest 368 of our military dead,
most of whom gave their lives in liberating the soil of Belgium in
World War I.
General Eisenhower received a letter from 8 year old Keith,
who offered a plan: “Let all the world
leaders enter a boxing ring and just fight it out in there.” It might work??
Since then, many Wars have continued with many thousands of
lives lost, both military and civilian.
We live in an imperfect world and we don’t always agree with
one another. As Christians we do not
like war. We are called to be peacemakers, in the family, in church, and in the
workplace. Jesus prayed and said,
blessed are the peacemakers. In another
place he offered that in this world we shall have persecution.
When Jesus was arrested, Peter cut off the ear of one of the
servants. Jesus said, put up your sword,
for those who live by the sword will die by the sword.
How do we deal with a “Just War?” There are religious wars, wars to defend;
often force is needed to secure peace.
Usually war is a last resort, as peace talks and negations are tried
first. Cool heads and long fuses use
diplomacy to bring peace.
What would our world be like if the three largest nations
had not warred against Hitler?
There was World War II in retaliation for December 7th
bombing of Pearl Harbor .
The horrors of war are not easily forgotten. There are wounds physical and mental that
take years to heal, if at all. Many
veterans suffer sensitively from Post War syndrome.
We hate war, but we are morally obligated to honor our
military and the veterans who gave of themselves to fight for peace.
We seek peace, but there is only true peace when we find it
within our hearts because of Christ.
May we be Christian solders, marching as to war, carrying
the cross of Jesus? Our fight is not
with flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of darkness.
2 Timothy 2:1-3 You then, my son,
be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Linked up with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday
1 comment:
Thank you so much for sharing this at WJIM. Blessings.
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