Memorial to Those who Stand

Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. - Counte of Monte Cristo

Therefore, take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. - Ephesians 6:13

Today, our nation remembered and memorialized those who have fought and died for the liberties we still enjoy. Veterans, who have served their country and put their lives on the line for fellow Americans, some of whom they will never know, marched in parades and threw candy at eager children. And for every veteran walking today, there is at least one comrade who actually died for American freedom. And for every soldier killed in action, there are wives, mothers, sisters, fathers, sons, daughters, and friends who have, either conciously or not, sacrificed something for their country too. Certainly, it is good to honor the men who have and are sacrificing their goals, dreams, security, and sometimes their lives for us.
Still, it is exceedingly better to take a moment to also remember others who have put their lives on the line everyday, who daily took up their crosses, who armed themselves for spiritual warfare, and who stood in the evil day. Whether it be the tragically inspiring examples of missionaries who have been murdered for Christ's sake, or perhaps the unmentioned, unnoticed sacrifices and battles of generations of Christians who have stood against materialism, complacency, and sweet-sounding lies, we are indeed surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. And furthermore, we have a Savior who laid down His life that WE might be free from sin, death, and the wrath of God.
At Memorial day parades, I am always inspired to greater patriotism. May I now be inspired to deeper Christian devotion and determination to fight for truth.
The Devil loves pacifists. Pacifism is not just an alternate biblical belief - it is a lie strengthened by a kernel of truth. God preaches hope and peace, but never pacifism. Pacifism cries "peace, peace," when there is no true peace. Peace is when the conflict is resolved and dealt with. This is what God did for us when Jesus settled our debt in the court of heaven and we are now at peace with God. Pacifism on the other hand refuses to deal with problems. (Well, yeah, I know that they talked, but if you hadn't notices, Iran has nuclear weapons . . . ) Now, pacificsm as a political policy may be a seperate debate, which I would argue is equally foolish, but which I will not argue now - but here is my point: this political policy is spiritually dangerous, because it gradually and subtly disarms half of the language of the Bible that commands us to fight with all our might against sin in the world, the flesh, and the devil, to champion for Christ until the sword so cleaves to our hand that it seems a part of our arm, to gouge out right eyes, to cut off right arms, to strive unto blood. Pretty graphic, huh. Well, if that's what our lives are to be, then there is NO room for spiritual pacifism.
The challenge? Arm yourself with the armour of God, rely on Him in All-prayer, sharpen your weapon, the word of God, and fight. And then, as the verse finishes, having done all - stand. You do not have choice. When there is nothing more that you can do, stand. When the world seems to powerful, when you seem too weak, when the Devil tempts to despair, stand. Stand on Jesus who is higher than the storm that you might weather, and stand on the promises of God that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Stand when you are all alone. Stand when you are fainting. Stand when you think you can no longer stand. And having done all, stand.