Have you seen those billboards across America which are black with white lettering—with “messages” from God? Have you seen, “We Need to Talk . . . . God”? Or “Loved the Wedding, Invite Me To The Marriage . . . . God”? Or “Need Directions? . . . . God”? The sponsor of these billboards is apparently an anonymous client, but whomever it is has put truth on display which we can all clearly understand. Or do we understand?
In the last pages of "What Did You Expect??" Paul David Tripp summarizes his writing with this: “What has this book been about? It has been a detailed description of the daily work of love that must be done with commitment and joy when a flawed person is married to a flawed person and they are living in a fallen world." Did you catch that—“Daily work ..." So how do you do that under the challenge of deployment?
I love the story of the two men on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24, as Jesus walks beside them and talks to them in the days after His resurrection but before His ascension. His presence was so real, but at first they did not know who He was. Jesus asks them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
My Christmas celebration includes listening to the delivered words of Dr. S. M. Lockridge in his sermon, “That’s My King!" And a similar joy comes at Easter when I listen to his preaching “It’s Friday. . . but Sunday’s Comin'!” I trust you will be encouraged by his powerful presentation put together with scenes from Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ.” The video clip captures joy which Christians are experiencing because of the truth of the empty tomb on Resurrection Sunday.
I had a lesson in how to “make music in your heart to the Lord” last week. It was a wonderful opportunity to realize how many times I sing praises, but fail to really “listen” to the words. Each morning last week I opened my email to find a message from our pastor—sent to all the church membership. He began our days with encouraging messages containing only the lyrics to his favorite songs. The words immediately triggered in my mind the melodies—but what amazed me was the depth of spiritual understanding that took place in my heart as I focused on the words alone.
Covenant. Commitment. These are words we share in the Christian church, and in the Christian marriage. And sometimes, as a time of remembrance and renewal, couples will recite their wedding vows again to each other . . . as a sign that “what was true then is still true now.” Perhaps even more so.
I’ve been working on this writing for the last nine years. And it’s not done yet. I wanted to put down in writing, on “cyber-paper,” what I have lived and observed for most of my adult life. It’s what I love about our military . . . the people, the mission, the life. The truth is . . . as members of the United States military, people are watching you.
Let’s admit it—there is a certain loneliness that comes with military service. Deployment brings geographic separation from loved ones. And even when there is camaraderie in the deployed unit, one can still feel a certain loneliness which accompanies maintaining a constant alert at a remote location or experiencing encroaching fear in battle. Even when home there is a certain isolation which can occur because loved ones might not understand or appreciate the mission and calling . . . especially given the demands on schedules and families because of the ops tempo. So whether active duty or the spouse of an active duty service member, loneliness can accompany the realities of aloneness, even if surrounded by others. So I don’t think we can remind one another too often that we are never alone. The presence of God is real and sure, and this week is a good time to say it again.
No doubt you associate March 17th each year as St. Patrick’s Day, as I do. For as long as I can remember, the date set aside to celebrate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, has been a day dedicated to the wearing of green, to decorating with leprechauns and shamrocks, and to holding parades in locations where many Irish have settled. But little did I know that March 17th is also a holiday because of a military victory.
Have you ever needed some encouragement? Have circumstances brought you to a place where you are fearful, impatient, confused, or losing strength in the midst of life’s battles? I believe that discouragement is one of Satan’s favorite, and most effective, “fiery darts”. If this is the case, then perhaps one of the greatest gifts that we can give to each other are words of encouragement.