Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.
--Ecclesiastes 12:13
Dear Friends,
Thanksgiving to all of our Veterans today (and always)! As one who has had the privilege of sharing in ministry with so many in our military and their families, I hold a deep respect for the sacrifices that so many have made in service to this country. While we remember the sacrifice of physical life on Memorial Day, I often think of Veteran’s Day as a day to reflect on the emotional, psychological, and spiritual sacrifices of those who are still with us. As we know, not every wounded warrior bears a visible scar; the trauma on the inside can be just as devastating (if not more so).
In my engagement with these courageous saints, I am humbled by an emerging awareness of the incredible complexity of their duties. Not only technically, they tell me, but interpersonally and ethically as well. The intensity of their experience in combat in particular is bound to leave its mark in one way or another, shaping the soul as few other vocations can. I admire these women and men more than I can adequately say. I also believe it is right for us to keep them in our hearts and minds at all times and places (for more on this theme, I can commend Edward Tick’s War and the Soul: Healing Our Nation’s Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
With respect for the multifarious demands and dilemmas of those who serve so honorably among us, and with solemn concern for those spirits who are still sullied by that which most of us will never comprehend (perceived only by the notion that “war is hell”), I share this prayer from Walter Brueggemann in his 2008 book, Prayers for A Privileged People.
We are aware, acutely aware in your presence,
of the grind of tanks,
of the blast of mines hidden against human flesh,
of the rat-tat-tat of sniper fire.
We are aware of the stench of death,
bodies of our own military women and men,
bodies of countless Iraqis,
and the smell makes us shiver.
Such smells and sounds are remote from us,
but not remote from us are bewilderment,
and anxiety, and
double-mindedness.
We are bewildered,
whether we are liberators or invaders,
whether they are terrorists or freedom fighters,
whether we should yearn for peace or savor victory.
The world has become so strange,
and our place in it so tenuous,
where gray seems clearer than the white purity of our hopes,
or the darkness of our deathly passions.
There is so little agreement among us,
perhaps so little truth among us,
so little, good Lord, that we scarcely know how to pray,
or for what to pray.
We do know, however, to whom to pray!
We pray to you, creator God, who wills the world good;
We pray to you, redeemer God, who makes all things new.
We pray to you, stirring Spirit, healer of the nations.
We pray for guidance,
And before that, we pray in repentance.
for too much wanting the world on our own terms.
We pray for your powerful mercy,
to put the world – and us – in a new way,
a way after Jesus who gave himself,
a way after Jesus who confounded the authorities and
who lived more excellently.
Whelm us by your newness, by peace on your terms –
the newness you have promised,
of which we have seen glimpses in your Son
who is our Lord.
Perhaps none of us would agree with every line of the author’s description here, but perhaps that is the point. When offered as a corporate act of worship, prayer has a way of gathering up the cries of all of God’s people, whether they make sense to us individually or not. The good news is that in the truth, mercy, justice, and peace of Christ, we all share a common duty—even though our experiences and perspectives may vary.
This Veteran’s Day, I am forever grateful for these specific servants and leaders who have set such a tremendous example for us all.
As I said to the gentleman on the sidewalk earlier today “Thank you for your service!”
Defend them, Lord, by day and by night…Help us to nurture those in need…to pursue peace…on your terms. AMEN.
Grace to All,
Darren
