On Monday I conducted a funeral for a young marine who was killed in Iraq. I would have to say that I did some quick learning on the life of a marine. I was fascinated to see the many similarities of the marine life and the life of a follower of Jesus.
1. ALWAYS FAITHFUL
*The marines have a saying "Semper Fi" which means "always faithful".
I never knew that when a marine is killed in battle another marine is always by his side. Whether in the morgue, the flight home, the visitation or the funeral; a marine is always by the side of his fellow soldier.
*God says in Hebrews 13:5 "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you".
I have learned that God is always faithful. He doesn't promise us that everything in life will always be perfect, but He has promised us that He will always be there. He is faithful, dependable, trustworthy.
2. PUT OTHERS BEFORE YOURSELF
*Marines learn from the beginning of boot camp that it's not about you, it's about us. You watch out for your buddy and they watch out for you.
In the civilian world, most everyone looks out for themselves. Not a marine. Marines go into harms way because the big picture is more important than the individual.
*The Bible teaches us to "Love your neighbor as yourself". To think of others before we think our ourselves.
3. SERVICE
*Military life is sometimes refered to as "being in the service". Service sounds like a noun. It's something people belong to. But actually it's a verb. Service is something we do. That's what motivated the young marine. He loved people and he would do anything for anybody.
*Being a Christian is all about service as well. We get our marching orders from our example, Jesus Christ. Matthew 20:28 says, "Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
I learned a lot of great things from this young marine. I also have a renewed appreciation for the men and women who serve our country. THANK YOU!
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