REFLECTIONS

May 27th, 2018

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. "

John 9:1-3

Memorial Day

There are other days like this one when we pause in memory of those who walked this world to defend our country and shape the world into a better place. I remember some of them today—some who came home, and some who didn’t. Both are deserving of our thanks for their valor to put their lives on the line. A previous Reflections captured the following scene:

He stood behind the podium in full dress uniform. A face disfigured by the flames of war did not dampen his spirit as he spoke to a crowd of dignitaries. Others were with him, some with burns like his, some on crutches and some in wheel chairs, but all in various stages of healing from the flames of war in service of their country.

Life does not prepare us for some of the twists it takes. Most of those twists are simple bends in the road that we later see as inconveniences. But some twists completely redefine lives as it did with these soldiers. I could not help but think about the skilled athletes among them who no longer had legs, and the ones voted most handsome by their classmates who now look in the mirror to see a horror movie staring back. Life must be redefined for them. The road they once traveled is no longer an open one.

But maybe there is another side to it. For sure some of them will forever stand as symbols of a fallen world. But just as surely some are chosen to follow Jesus into victory. These are the ones who will one day wear medals of valor for the spirit, strength and courage with which they faced adversity.

And let us not forget, Jesus was called to put his life on the line too. It is the reason He came. He did not want to face what was before him either. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36)  He drank from the cup presented him. And our lives are saved.

Those we remember today drank from the cup presented them.

And one can only wonder if it happened so the work of God might be displayed in their lives.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org.


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