Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Last Sunday was Nov. 11. A century ago, on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m., the armistice to cease the hostilities of World War I took effect. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, actually formalized the peace. Nov. 11, once called Armistice Day as a celebration of that peace, now is called Veterans Day in the United States to honor all American veterans, living or dead.
Some Americans think we should resume also celebrating the peace and how we can achieve peace the way it was celebrated after World War I because it was to be the war to end all wars, and I agree.
So, first, thank you, American veterans, for serving our nation to sustain the peace and protect our constitution, including the civil liberties we enjoy through the Bill of Rights.
Second, for all of us, in my opinion, the best way we can honor all our veterans is to maintain our nation’s internal peace. To be honest, the political strife recently in our country is outright disgusting, and I pray that the recent election’s outcome, without regard to party affiliation, will be a wake-up call to all our elected officials that the people are fed up!
America’s greatness in the world is due, in part, to our abundant natural resources and generally good climate, but our greatness came about because we’re a melting pot of culture, philosophy (including politics) and talent with a strong work ethic. While I’ve never given up on America’s greatness, despite the fact it’s waned somewhat in the past 30 years, America can only be great when we have the internal peace that maintains civility toward each other. This doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything, but we should be able to disagree without being so disagreeable. We must mutually and peaceably respect the constitutionally-protected rights of others.
Actually, following Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is the only way to have peace among men and with God (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 2:11-14; John 14:27; 16:33). He provided for that peace by breaking down every political, cultural, ethnic, economic and gender barrier that divides humankind (Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:26-29; 4:6-7; Colossians 3:11).
As Christians, we must use peaceable tactics toward each other and non-Christians; otherwise, they will hardly realize God’s peace treaty is in effect and the only plan that can work (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:14; John 13:34-35; Philippians 2-9; Romans 15:13).
While veterans specially are honored on Nov. 11, they should be honored at all times. The church meets every first day of the week to specially remember Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, by which he brought peace among men and with God, but we also should consider our relationship with him constantly (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Do you remember Jesus on the first day of the week and every other day (Colossians 3:15-17)? Are you following God’s plan for peace?
Leonard Lauriault writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]