Another quiet peaceful morning passing as I sit in the porch swing pondering, watching the earth spin on its axis. We had a heavy rain last night, so everything is crayon green from the rain’s nitrogen. My vegetables are showing out, all dressed in yellow blooms, their leaves upward worshipping the sun’s warmth. The bell pepper, dressed in white blooms, is not following today’s dress code. The sky is opulently overcast but I can feel the rays of the sun through breaks in the pearlesque cloudscape. The clouds look like a strand of ostentatious Mikimoto pearls. The sun is trying her best to move the clouds away but as soon as Father Sky’s blue canvas appears the sky pearls hurriedly chase each other back and string themselves up again. The sky is almost luminous today. I’m enjoying watching the jewelry show.

The male cardinals are dressed in their fluorescent red plumage celebrating Memorial Day in the hot sunshine. Gathered with the cardinals are the blue jays and the doves and the purple finches. Watching the red cardinals and the blue jays frolic reminds me of the colors of our glorious American flag, softly unfurling in the coming summer breezes, from front porches across America today. We need to remember those that sacrificed their lives for our freedom while serving in the U.S. military. We also need to pray for the wounded warriors and those who hold scars close to their hearts from their service in the armed forces. We have the privilege of being free to join with family and friends to enjoy a meal together and celebrate the Memorial Day holiday due to the brave men and women who work together and sacrifice their family time to keep America safe. John 15:13 states, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Bible scripture uses military imagery to describe the life of a Christian, portraying us as soldiers in a battle against evil. We’re true warriors when we have the Holy Spirit in us guiding us through God’s words. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” Joshua 1:9.

Remember the hymn we sang in Bible school, Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus. Here’s the first stanza. “Stand up! Stand up for Jesus! Ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, It must not suffer loss. From vict’ry unto vict’ry His army shall He lead, till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.” To be a good soldier for Jesus we have to be dedicated to living a life that follows Jesus’ teachings. We have to persevere through the hard times relying on our faith and God’s grace. We have to be diligent in our Bible study and our prayers, making our spiritual growth a priority. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 states, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the affairs of daily life, but strives to please him who has enlisted him.”

Let’s all be soldiers for Jesus, living a life that reflects God’s love and teachings, enlisting others into his service through our words and actions.

“God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.” — DeMarcus Cousins