Faith & Support for Vets

Each of us is called to be a servant - humbling ourselves before God and allowing Him to use us as we seek to serve others.  Today, we remember our Veterans who have served our country.  Romans 12 gives some insight into the mind of a servant:
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer...

Today, we recognize those who have served us, and we can be inspired to be people of service.  As our military veterans have been willing to give their lives for others, so we remember our call to follow Christ in submitting to Him and to one another.  He demonstrated ultimate servanthood by laying down His life so we could be free in Him, and calls us to develop a sensitivity to minister to the needs of those around us.

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On this Veteran's Day, we remember those who have served our country.  We as Americans owe them a debt of gratitude for their humble service.  Service is a characteristic that is consistent with the character of Christ, and we can be challenged to develop a servant's heart.  Jesus said in Mark 10:

42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

When the Newsboys took the stage in Nashville recently at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University, they were performing and ministering for a cause greater than themselves, not only the cause of Christ, but also veterans in the challenges they face.

According to a press release, proceeds from the Nashville concert benefited the Guardian for Heroes Foundation, which was established by the late U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, also known as the “American Sniper."  The organization assists combat veterans transitioning to post-military life.

During the concert, Chris' brother Jeff talked about the mission and purpose of the foundation. Also, George Chmiel of BeastMode for the Brave joined Kyle onstage to share about his run across America, which was designed to "pay homage to veterans and drive awareness of the serious issues they face upon returning home from the battlefield." These issues can sometimes result in veterans taking their own lives, as more than 20 commit suicide each day.  Chmiel was on track to run more than 3,000 miles in 60 days.

Five days prior to the Newsboys concert, George was in Nashville for a 2-mile run around Belmont's campus, in association with Reboot Combat Recovery.  According to the university's website: 

Through its 12-week proprietary curriculum, which is rooted in both clinical expertise and foundational Christian values, Reboot sees a 76 percent graduation rate, with 41 percent of its graduates becoming leaders and 85 percent of graduates staying involved with advanced courses and reunions. With more than 1,000 graduates and more than 25 locations across the country, not a single one has died of suicide as a solution to their struggle with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS).

The intersection of faith and support for veterans is strong.  Just yesterday, perhaps you heard my conversation with Dan Wallrath, who founded Operation Finally Home.  He has been in construction for over 30 years, and God stirred his heart to provide housing for veterans returning home, as well as families of the fallen.  Or, my conversation with Welby O'Brien, whose husband is a veteran who suffers with PTSD.  She has founded a national support group called "Love Our Vets - PTSD Family Support."

And, months ago, I caught up with Marine veteran Michael Priddy and U.S. Army veteran David Allison on their transcontinental bicycle ride, No Man Rides Alone, to call attention to the struggles of veterans with PTSD, in association with the Mighty Oaks Warrior Foundation.  

In a CBN News story incorporating material from The Christian Post, Priddy is quoted as saying that PTSD made him feel "like a monster."  It caused him to lose his wife and family.  But, as the article says... 

...his life completely turned around after he attended a six-day retreat program at Mighty Oaks, a place where he says "suicide gets taken off the table," once attendees recognize their lives have a higher purpose ordered by God through Christ.

None of the 1,000 graduates of the program have taken their own life.  The article quotes Priddy describing the transformation made possible through Christ:

"It's just the gospel of Jesus Christ and the healing power that can only come from Him and when the men decide to accept Christ," Priddy said.

"It is just that instance when you make that decision and that instance that you get it and finally submit and fall to the altar and say, 'Okay God, do with me what You will,'" he said. "That is the thing that starts the healing process."

So today, we remember those who have bravely served our country in the military, those who have lost their lives in fighting for our freedom, as well as those who continue to serve.  And, we also remember those who struggle.  I am grateful that there are Christians who are taking or have taken bold steps to help veterans who are facing a variety of issues.  As people of faith, we can be on the front lines of promoting hope for those who seek to be made whole.

Our Christian faith gives us the sensitivity to identify needs and the opportunity to point people to the love of our Savior.  We always do well to remember the challenges of those in our military, people who have bravely served our country or continue to serve.   The weight that is placed on families who are in military service, including the frequent moving from place to place and the separation by deployment, is enormous.  Factor in so many who have been or who are currently in harm's way and I would imagine that the anxiety can be overwhelming at times.  We remember that God is faithful, and He meets all of us in our point of need, if only we will cry out to Him.