-…that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
–portion of the Oath of Enlistment
-Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
–Ephesians 6:13
-“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
–Mark 10:45
“Why do you wear that cross all the time?”
I smile, then pull my focus through the cacophony of the cafe, placing it on my buddy T. Love him. Retired military, absolutely no filter…and no matter how I answer, my chances of offending him are about -1000.
“Why do you ask?”
He picks up his cup, grunts, sets it down…long inhale…
*Hoo boy, this is gonna be a doozy…*
“Well, it’s a symbol of death…and torture. Isn’t that kind of morbid? Like the ones with Jesus hanging there and bleeding…I mean, yours is plain, but still…I don’t get it.”
“Why do you fly the flag?”
T has a beautiful setup in his front yard, spotlight and all, and you better believe he follows the protocol to the letter with the appropriate combination of gravity and fervor. He unconsciously sits up, his back ramrod-straight. “To show my pride in my country. Honor those who serve. Hopefully bring some unity. Remind people of the freedoms we share and the sacrifices made for those freedoms.”
“Sometimes the ultimate sacrifice.”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that kind of…morbid?”
Silence.
He nods. “Yeah, okay…that’s fair.”
The cross represents the death and the resurrection. Sacrifice and freedom. The Ultimate Sacrifice and the Ultimate Freedom…for the world…
Because the world is at war.
I enlisted in an army, the army led by my Savior Jesus Christ. My cross is part of the uniform I put on every day in service to the Lord. I accepted a commission and took an oath, to follow my Commander-in-Chief, and to share the Gospel, the Good News, wherever I am called…
So help me God.