In Arlington Cemetery, members of the 3rd United States Army stand as sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This formal pageantry to honor America's unknown fallen heroes is not a show which occurs but is referred to by the men of the Old Guard as a "charge of honor" to be carried out twenty-four hours a day regardless of the weather. In becoming a member of this group of elite soldiers, they make a two year commitment to live in the barrack beneath the tomb, learn over months the precision of the walk, and must be able to recite seven pages of material verbatim before ever appearing on the marble walkway. In addition, these members see such a high honor they commit never to drink alcohol nor swear in public for the rest of their lives which might reflect upon the Tomb.
The Sentinels Creed states: "My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.
As a child in church, I would sing, "Onward Christian Soldier" at least once in a year of church services and was adopted by the Salvation Army for their processionals. We are soldiers in a war against the enemy of God, Satan. We however forget that while these soldiers of the Old Guard stand watch in silence, our battlefield is anything but quiet. No active battlefield is quiet since the air is filled with the sounds of explosions and gun fire and the mournful sound of soldiers wounded and dying. However, in the war against Satan sometimes Christians do more of the harming than the enemy.
In war there is stress, conflict, emotional turmoil, and the like, and yet we plod on knowing the goal of victory is sought because it eventually brings peace. Maybe we need to look at the Sentinels Creed of the Tomb. First, the soldier has commited his whole self to the service which he renders. If we surrender in the same way to Jesus, we will not have time to fight nor be offended by others because the object of eternal peace is to important to be sidetracked by petty differences. Secondly, his goal is perfection. Not for ego but because of the sacred charge of walking his post. As Christians, our goal should be equally as high so we do not offend others and if we do, make sure we do the best to remove obstacles from our relationships with others.
Lastly, "It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance." Jesus alone commands the respect by his bravery and sacrifice. Surrounded by the world or alone at night, I will be eternally vigilant to walk my post here until I am relieved by the "Commanding Officer."
The Sentinels Creed states: "My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.
As a child in church, I would sing, "Onward Christian Soldier" at least once in a year of church services and was adopted by the Salvation Army for their processionals. We are soldiers in a war against the enemy of God, Satan. We however forget that while these soldiers of the Old Guard stand watch in silence, our battlefield is anything but quiet. No active battlefield is quiet since the air is filled with the sounds of explosions and gun fire and the mournful sound of soldiers wounded and dying. However, in the war against Satan sometimes Christians do more of the harming than the enemy.
In war there is stress, conflict, emotional turmoil, and the like, and yet we plod on knowing the goal of victory is sought because it eventually brings peace. Maybe we need to look at the Sentinels Creed of the Tomb. First, the soldier has commited his whole self to the service which he renders. If we surrender in the same way to Jesus, we will not have time to fight nor be offended by others because the object of eternal peace is to important to be sidetracked by petty differences. Secondly, his goal is perfection. Not for ego but because of the sacred charge of walking his post. As Christians, our goal should be equally as high so we do not offend others and if we do, make sure we do the best to remove obstacles from our relationships with others.
Lastly, "It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance." Jesus alone commands the respect by his bravery and sacrifice. Surrounded by the world or alone at night, I will be eternally vigilant to walk my post here until I am relieved by the "Commanding Officer."
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:3-4
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