1) When a bomb explodes, people don't fly through the air, like in the movies. Instead, it's pieces of people.
2) Statements of support for people serving in the military often sound better to those offering them than those receiving them.
3) Most of the best stories of honor and heroism in the military remain untold. For example, the mortuary at Dover is the scene of almost daily honor. People working there do their utmost to offer behind-the-scenes comfort to families of fallen soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines. No one knows.
4) For many, it's impossible to re-enter life after being deployed. Instead, they have to put together a new life using the ingredients of the one they left behind. Someone who has seen combat or who has had related experiences should not be expected or told to "get over it."
5) All have Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). It's the "D" in PTSD that's the problem. The "D" stands for disorder.
6) Much of military service is routine. It's about filling out forms and waiting in line more often than the media portrays.
7) So far, with today's wars, most people in the military are safe. They won't be killed or wounded, but they will still pay a price that many people back home simply will never understand.
8) The families left back home need much more love, care, and attention than they are getting. If we "support the troops," we should show it by supporting their families more.
9) There are many parts of military service that are more significant, exciting, challenging, and satisfying than they look in the media. For many people, it's a life calling they hold close to their hearts. There really are still patriots.
What are your thoughts on all this?
It would seem that people that think about these realities are in the minority, even amongst Christians. Is it because it is too depressing? Can compassion be born out of the good life?
ReplyDeleteI know that compassion has grown for me only out of my pain and of that I am ashamed. That's why I need a savior. I would have been one of the people in the crowd, with little or no compassion for the Nazarene being crucified. He must have done something to deserve it. For my shame, His sacrifice, my salvation, much like the giving of ones life for his friends made by those who stand for me against my enemies. They and their families are well worth my attention and gratitude.
Pastor John,
ReplyDeleteI look forward to all your blog entries. People that really want to know you are reading. Comments may come slowly because of the respect you have earned from all of us.
I read because, like a story being written, your life is God's and I can't wait to see what He does next. One of the main characters in my story, written by the same Author, is getting time in yours. I get to tune in now not next week. I always hated waiting to tune in "next week".
Sorry, I just could not resist.
Your Friend
andrew
Thanks Andrew. You're a charter member of my baby blog! Thanks for your support in so many ways. I'm praying for you, by the way.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I think your observations are right on the mark, but would extend them to not only post 9/11/01 but down through most of time. We (the USA) are the 'consumers' of the sacrifice of others. Even post 09/11/01 most of the sacrifice is happening outside of our borders and very few of us will ever pay anything for the freedom we consume. Consequently we don't recognize, honor or appreciate the cost in the same way as if we, personally, were expected to pay for it.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't this extend into our spritual lives as well? We know there was a cost, paid by another (a price we could not have paid), and yet our response is all too often to sit and 'consume' instead of honor the sacrifice by participating in ways that show not only our gratitude, but also honors that sacrifice by making sure others know that it was done for them as well.
Here, here Dave!!
ReplyDeleteIf we as Christians can not show appreciation for those who we can see (if we look), those who pay the price for our freedom. How can we properly worship God(YHWH) who we can not see or appreciate His sacrifice to save those He Loves.
Hey Andrew - That's exactly my point, since we (society in general) take for granted what is being done on our behalf today, we don't seem to thave the capacatiy to really appreciate what Christ did for us.
ReplyDeleteMy concern/observation has been that indeed in the same way society,(again most,not all) takes the human sacrifice for granted. How much more concerning is it that many inside our church communities do the same with the sacrifice of Christ. We don't show our appreciation by actually going out and doing something that demonstrates it.