“Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." ~ John 15:13
This is for those too young to fully
appreciate the sacrifices of generations of soldiers – men and women of all
ethnic backgrounds, whose shoulders we stand on Memorial Day. You’re forgiven for the inexperienced ways of
youth and naivete. Consider this.
Most Americans are like sheep - kind, gentle, caring humans
who’d only hurt someone by accident or under extreme provocation. We’re living in one the most violent times in
history but, actually, violence is still pretty rare. That’s because most citizens are decent
people. They’re the sheep.
Wolves are the opposite.
They feed on sheep. They are
capable of cruel, hateful, and malicious crimes. With a capacity for violence and no empathy
for others, they’re often defined as sociopaths. The moment you forget that or pretend it isn’t
so, you become a sheep. But there’s no
safety in denial.
Finally, there are the sheepdogs. They have a deep love for their fellow
citizens and live to protect the sheep from wolves. They’re warriors who walk dangerous, unchartered
paths and hopefully return unscathed. There’s
nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what they chose to
be.
Sometimes they look and act like wolves. But a sheepdog must not, cannot and will not
ever harm the sheep. Anyone who intentionally
harms the meekest lamb will be punished and removed.
Some sheep would rather the sheepdogs surrender their
weapons, look the other way at drug or other “victimless” crimes, or watch
cities burn in protest.
Until the wolf shows up!
Then the entire flock cowers while the sheepdogs rush in.
Thank God for the sheepdogs who
rushed in to help students evacuate Columbine High School. Bless all those who climbed mountains of
stairs shepherding people from the Twin Towers on 911.
And most of all today – we remember, with heartfelt gratitude,
all those who gave all. Like those who
fearlessly and unselfishly stormed the beaches of Normandy to begin the
liberation of Europe and the eventual end to WWII.
Thanks for letting us continue to be sheep and permit us the
freedom to express even bad ideas.
Whether you fought in combat on enemy soil or faced down an
angry mob within our own borders; whether you carried a gun or made sure our
troops were well equipped; whether you came from a long line of military heroes
or became the first in your family to answer the call – we say THANK YOU and
may God continue to bless you and your family.
Father God, thank You for bringing us
together to pay tribute to those who lost their lives defending our nation. May their souls live on in Your gracious
presence. Please guide us and make us
worthy of the sacrifices from which we have benefited. Amen
