Enlisted
Galatians 5:13-15 NKJV
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
There is a slow death that is happening today.
If you took a step back you could plainly see it, the Death of love your neighbor as yourself.
Paul minces no words to the Galatians.
There was a time not long ago, where people took pride in helping one another. Actually putting others first. It was a duty and an honor.
Please don’t get me wrong, there are still very dedicated people out there that make it their mission to serve others before themselves.
But the hearts of man are growing cold.
What happened to “through love serve one another”?
Saturday November 11 is Veterans Day here in the United States of America.
It is only one day out of the whole year we honor the men and women that served this country selflessly.
Helping ensure the freedom and liberties that we lay people have so loved.
Honoring all those that have served in War!
Sometimes I have to remind myself of these liberties. I have to remind myself of the cost. The sacrifice of one’s own will and self to protect and serve.
I, like many others, take this liberty for granted.
Every year I think about the man that shaped my life. The man that raised me to be the man that I am today. The one that has influenced his wife, me and my wife, my brother and his wife, sister and her husband and all of his grandchildren. The one that through his willingness and God given character to serve others has helped and served many, many, many known and unknown.
My dad, Reyes Solis.
He served in the Vietnam War.
Those that know, this was a time in our history that society was changing.
There was a movement of self consciousness and self awareness. A time of self independence. A wedge and a gap was placed in the hearts of so many that to this day has not been removed, healed or filled.
It was the year 1969 that my dad graduated from high school.
During this time the draft was in place.
He volunteered to enlist in the US Army.
The oldest son of seven siblings with four younger brothers.
The Jungles of Vietnam was his destination.
I have never been in war. I don’t understand what courage and bravery it must take to be in a foreign land to defend the liberties that this country has the privilege to partake in.
My dad doesn’t speak too much about his experience. We have never pushed or asked for the answers to our questions.
But I can see in his eyes the love and compassion to be of service to his Lord, his country, his family and any and all that may need his service, to this very day!
Just call him and see how quick he shows!
Servanthood is not just a one time thing, it is a way of life!
Many people do not understand what it truly means to be a servant.
We speak about being servants of the Lord and His Kingdom. But do we know what this means!
To be a servant means to give up your rights, all of them. To give up your hopes and dreams. To put others before yourself for the greater good! It means leaving behind an old life and enlisting in another. It means going into dark places that you never wanted to be in. It means putting your trust in someone other than yourself.
It is learning how to take orders and fulfill the commands.
Learning how to take the insults and ridicule to serve as others as they sit and just watch.
It is the denial of your own will to serve another’s.
I have known many Veterans. I can say that all have had this mentality. The first to stand. The first to step up. The first to go out!
II Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
There is an expectation to serve Jesus Christ!
It is to endure hardships. To be able to go out into the dark world and battle. Battle for the souls of men and women. To get them to the Rock of Salvation and safety. To protect them from the evils of this world. To shield them and give up your own life if necessary.
Please do not talk the talk if you are not willing to walk it.
Everyone that enlist into the Armed forces do not know exactly what it entails. They don’t know the assignment. Where they will be stationed. What their duties will be.
The dangers, the cold lonely nights or the hot blistering days. The lack of sleep, food and well being. There will always be doubt, fear and worry but they carry out their assignments!
Each one signs on the line to service, whatever, wherever and whenever they are called and needed.
Why don’t we look at these men and women as pillars of our community!
Why can we not follow their example of their service!
We are too proud and arrogant.
We don’t appreciate the gift of liberty that they have fought and served for.
Because it has never been taken away. We have gotten used to freely doing as we please.
We treat Christ and His Gospel the same way. The One that shed His Blood for the Liberty of Heaven and the Freedom from sin.
The One that gave His life for all! That One that in His humility, did what the Father commanded Him to do.
The One that paid the Ultimate price!
Total and complete service to all, even to those that reject Him!
If we could be true Soldiers in the Lord’s Army!
If we could look at Jesus as The Prime example on how to serve. If we could look at all those that enlisted to see the same servant heart, how much better would we be?
Today I challenge you to something.
Before you thank a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces I want you to do something.
Look into their eyes. See the pain. See the hurt and suffering. See the regret of things done. See the joy of things accomplished.
See how they still stand to tell their story.
See the silence.
Behind all of that see their servanthood!
Oh the things we could learn from their wisdom!
Honor our Veterans everyday!
Pastor Ed