A Profile of Perseverance

On this Veterans Day, we do unite to honor those who have demonstrated bravery, strength, and perseverance in serving our country.  For many veterans, the road has not been easy, but the path they chose has contributed to the American way of life that we enjoy today.   As we consider those who have displayed the character relative to service to their country, let's pause to think about the importance of displaying character related to service to the Lord, including longsuffering.  Paul writes to Timothy in 2nd Timothy chapter 3:
10But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,11persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.12Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

For the Christian, just as for the veteran, we are reminded that life is not always easy - there will be affliction, perhaps even persecution.  But, God gives us the tools that we need in order to be prepared to face the challenges of life.  Even if we suffer long, we can also be assured that we can suffer well in order to bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father.  He will teach us and train us by His Spirit to walk in a manner pleasing to Him.

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In Galatians 6, we see a passage that reminds us to be dedicated to doing good, seeking to reflecting the nature of Christ and demonstrating perseverance:
9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The fifth annual River Region Veterans Day parade took place in downtown Montgomery today, and Faith Radio's own Billy Irvin drove our ministry van along the parade route as part of this significant celebration of the contribution of our veterans in the life of our nation.

Parades and special events abounded today, but do you know where the first National Veterans Day parade occurred?   Well, AL.com reports that it happened in 1947, as the first city in America to celebrate what at the time was known officially as Armistice Day, celebrating the end of World War I, was...Birmingham, Alabama.

Here's the story, from the Birmingham Public Library website.  M.B. Newbill writes:

In the years after World War II, the director of Birmingham’s Armistice Day celebrations was a man named Raymond W. Weeks. Weeks was a veteran of the Second World War and felt strongly that the day should be changed to honor veterans of all military conflicts, not just World War I. As he was building up Birmingham’s Armistice Day celebrations, he was also lobbying in Washington, D.C. to get the holiday officially changed to Veterans Day (a term he had been using since 1947). His cause was taken up by Representative Edward Rees of Kansas. Rees introduced legislation making the change which was signed into law by President Eisenhower on June 1, 1954.

Newbill writes that Weeks continued to coordinate Birmingham's National Veterans Day activities until his death in 1985.  In 1982, then-President Reagan awarded Weeks the Presidential Citizens' Medal.

The Reagan Presidential Library website quotes the former President as he made the presentation:

Mr. Weeks has exemplified the finest traditions of American voluntarism by his unselfish service to his country. As director of the National Veterans Day Celebration in Birmingham for the past 36 years, Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran himself, has devoted his life to serving others, his community, the American veteran, and his nation. 

Including a quote from a President before him, Calvin Coolidge, Reagan said:

President Coolidge once said, "The Nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.'' Nothing is more important to the soul of America than remembering and honoring those who gave of themselves so that we might enjoy the fruits of peace and liberty.

Armistice Day, which ended World War I, as Reagan pointed out, was celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year in 1918.

So, on this Veterans Day, we remember the contributions of those who have served our country, and we recognize one particular veteran who was dedicated to seeing them recognized in a special way.

For the believer in Christ, there are certain things we can think about on this day:

For one thing, I think it reminds us to show appreciation to those who have done good deeds. When someone has performed some act of kindness, no matter how simple, a "thank you" could be a nice display of affirmation. And, if someone has gone above and beyond, perhaps we can reciprocate in some way by sending a note, an e-mail, a phone call, or even a gift, depending on the extent of their service. I believe that we create a culture of appreciation as we take time to recognize the good that is done. And, on Veterans Day, we can participate in simple expressions of remembering acts of dedication to the cause of freedom.

Finally, Raymond Weeks is an example of someone who was dedicated to that cause to the extent that he wanted to publicly recognize those who served in our military.  He spent many years attempting to influence leaders about the concept, and he was successful.   We can be inspired in our own pursuits - maybe there is something you believe in strongly, perhaps a change or a cause. Perseverance may be necessary to see it come to pass.  The Bible speaks of not being weary in well-doing, and God can give us the dedication to pursue what He has laid on our hearts.