Patriotism and our Faith

This week we have been to a Veteran’s Honor Flight’s return celebration, and then to the next Honor Flight’s Orientation day.  Both of these are very well done and quite honoring to the Veterans and their families.

I would say that most people could not truly explain the emotions we can go through as we watch the slide show of the Veterans from World War 2 through Vietnam, and also listen to the patriotic music which was popular during those eras.

Watching the Veterans who are excited and honored to go on a flight to Washington D.C., watching their happy families with ages from newborns to as old as the Veterans themselves, then also seeing the Volunteers doing everything to honor the Veterans and their families, to even the skirl of the Bagpipes is very special, and it is full of a range of emotions for those of us “on the outside looking in”.

It is truly difficult to express the depths of emotions, the patriotism, and the loyalty to our nation and for those who stood in the gap for us.

I was contemplating how the love of our country is only a "shadow, a faded picture" compared to the people whose love, devotion, and honor is given to the One and Only God for the rest of their lives for His marvelous grace through Jesus Christ who saved us from our sins.  The LORD now calls us His children.  We were bought with a price, Jesus blood!

The joy I have witnessed this week on the Veterans’ faces, the Guardians, all the families who love their Vet, the Volunteers - even the other passengers waiting for their own flights who are at the airport and are surprised and touched by the reception and comradery for the Vets - this joy is truly indescribable.

Our joy as Believers of the God of the Universe is far beyond what I experienced this week. 

When we meet up with another Believer we haven’t seen for a while, or when we meet a Believer we have never met, or when we meet a Believer we just saw yesterday, we find such unexplainable joy!  It is because we are connected to the LORD, we are related, we understand where each of us have come from, where we are in life, where we will be in life when Jesus returns. 

Veterans are connected to other Veterans no matter which war or whatever age they are, but Believers have ties to each other that will last an eternity.  Our “family” is the Body of Believers.  When our human family denies us, we can count on the Body to still be our family, to love and encourage us. 

Most of all we have an Awesome God who gave us life - life eternal with Him!  This is such a beautiful connection we have in each other. We are safe together no matter where we are in this world.  On this earth we have begun our eternal life with Him, but the best is yet to be with Him in glory!

Patriotism in the USA in these last generations is many times “tied”  or “woven” into our Christian faith.  It was how our culture used to be.  

As the LORD’s child we are far and above more, exponentially blessed than being an American citizen.  We can praise the LORD for our country which was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, but we can praise Him even more for His grace and mercies which He showers on those of us who choose Him!

Glory to God!