Sunday, November 11, 2012

Flanders Fields Everywhere !


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:

Naomi said...

Thank you so much for sharing this at WJIM. Blessings.