As someone who has been involved in planning Sunday worship services for many years, national holidays like Veterans Day and Independence Day often present a unique challenge. I have often received requests to sing patriotic songs in church. (The Battle Hymn of the Republic, My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, God Bless America, etc...) What do we do with that? Is a worship service a place where we should be honoring our country and the men and women who have served in our military? Isn't a worship service intended to be a time of honoring God? When we come to worship, let's offer our allegiance to the King of Kings whose Kingdom is not of this world, rather than a nation that will pass away. Let's honor Jesus, for his name is higher than any other name!
The question still remains though, how does a Christian respond appropriately to a holiday like Veterans Day. This is pretty complex for me, and I don't claim to be an expert. I have friends and family who have served in the military and I recognize the great sacrifice they have made and the difficulties they endured to serve our country. Certainly, it is honorable to sacrifice on the behalf of other people. Yet, I can't ignore the fact war is so horrific, and violent, and contrary to how I believe Jesus taught us to live. I also can't ignore that God is a God of all nations. The USA is not God's chosen nation. God loves people of every nation. We are not "better" than them. So maybe instead of celebrating the greatness of our nation, let's celebrate the greatness of God's Kingdom, and pray for peace. Veteran's day certainly isn't a happy day. It is a solemn day, and a reminder of the brokenness of this world. Many veterans are in desperate need of the peace and redemption of Jesus Christ. Let's pray for their healing.
Here's a short blog from the perspective of a veteran of the Iraq war. Read and Pray.
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