Remember the Double Soldiers

Soon, my father plans to begin the preliminary sketch for the wood mosaic we’ve commissioned him to do for our narthex. The theme will be the fulfillment across a rural landscape of the LORD’s promise in Psalm 91:11. “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” 

The shadow of our church steeple will creep into one corner, a subtle reminder that this is a scene overlooking our church. Jesus will be visible directing his angels to protect people in various outdoor activities.

Hopefully, most of you have heard the request I’ve made for my father, asking you for any suggestions of common rural activities that should be included. Many of you have given me good ideas that will probably find their way onto the artwork, such as someone gardening, a person on a lawn chair, a man and boy hunting, someone fishing, a person riding an ATV or motorcycle, someone putting clothes on the clothesline, a person interacting with animals (riding a horse, feeding cattle, or playing with dogs or cats), another person in danger from a bear. About the only idea so far that may not work is to show a snowmobiler, as that wouldn’t fit too well with the late summer, early fall setting. Keep the ideas coming.

Recently, a member gave me another good suggestion. He said, “Pastor, we need to have a soldier in that rural scene. We can’t forget them.”

And I thought, yeah, that’s very true. We have Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Veteran’s Day to remember our armed service men and women, but they contribute so much to our great nation that they are well worth remembering every day. To include a soldier in uniform on the mosaic would be a nice permanent tribute to these hard workers, some of whom are Trinity members, or friends and family of our members. We can appreciate the efforts of these “double soldiers” as we remember that we are soldiers ourselves.

In our daily battle against the devil, the world, and our rebelling flesh, we’re still in the church militant (meaning the church not yet at rest). We long to be in the church triumphant, with those believers in Jesus who have gone before us, who have put down their helmets and picked up their crowns. We’ll get there soon enough. As it stands today, let’s show extra regard for the “double soldiers” among us who face battles with physical and foreign enemies besides the spiritual enemies we all face. 

Pray that our soldiers in Afghanistan, sailors on navy ships, our other dear U.S. defenders and our enemies may find comfort with us in the victory of the forgiveness of sins.

On the cross our sin was routed, decisively beaten, eternally defeated.

Christ wins! And we with him. “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Pastor Gregory Pope