Devotion and Passion
I am an Air Force Brat - although, I often feel like I need to explain that I am not your usual Air Force brat. When most folks think about a military family, they think of a family that moves all over the nation, and even the world, every 3-4 years. My experience wasn’t like that … I was born in Surfside Beach, SC when my mom was stationed at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, and we moved to Shaw AFB in Sumter, SC when I was 3, and I lived either at Shaw or in Sumter until left for college. So, my experience was different from others.
However, one thing I find that I do share with many other Air Force folks is our experience of July 4th. It’s hard to put into words what Independence Day felt like on a military installation. On one level, it looked like what everyone else was doing - charcoal grills set up in the front yard, cooking up all sorts of hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, wings … kids on bikes, kids playing in the sprinklers, kids playing baseball in the street, kids everywhere! … neighbors coming by for a chat and a bite to eat … your normal slice of Americana! Where it began to differ on the Air Base was in the evening - most of the folks who lived on Shaw would gather on on side of the lake on the base golf course, and on the other side they set up a fireworks displayed, so that as they exploded in the sky, it was reflected in the late … and, at the end of the finale, over the loudspeakers would play “The Star Spangled Banner”, and every active duty airman would stand up, stand at attention, and salute the flag. I can remember looking around during that time, and not seeing many dry eyes on those who were standing at attention and saluting the flag. Mechanics, pilots, paralegals, cooks - it didn’t matter … if they were serving in the Air Force, there was a high chance that there were tears in their eyes as they saluted the flag while the last remnants of the fireworks fell to ground, reflected in the pond, to the soundtrack of “The Star Spangled Banner”.
As I grew up and away from the military dependent life, it struck me how civilians could celebrate Independence Day differently. On the surface, it looked the same with grilling, flag waving, kids playing … but, if and when the Star Spangled Banner was played, I didn’t often see tears in the eyes of those who heard it. I understand why - when you volunteer to serve in the military, then you are volunteering to put your life on the life to protect our nation … the nation that is represented in the flag and “The Star Spangled Banner”. For those who volunteer to do this, it just means something different from those of who didn’t volunteer. These are men and women who are willing to die so that the rest of us can enjoy the blessings of this nation.
I want to be very careful that we don’t equate America with the church, because I trust we all know that would be wrong to do. Christ’s church was here before America, and will still be here if and when America ceases to exist. Christ’ church was growing before America, and will still grow if and when America ceases to exist. America does not equate Christ’s church. However, I do think there is a similarity I want to pull out, and that is the similarity of devotion and passion.
To be a Christian means to be one who is devoted to Christ and His church, no matter what. When things are going great and there are no road blocks in life, then we are to be devoted to Christ and His church. When things are falling apart and there seems to be road blocks at every turn and pace, then we are to be devoted to Christ and His church. I am saddened to see in my own heart and practice, along with the practices of others, how our devotion to Christ and His church can wane. I know it is a symptom of sinfulness, yet it is still disappointing. It isn’t right. I have talked with many pastors who are all struggling with rebounding from COVID, with one of the main struggles having congregants who are finding any and every reason to not be devoted to church. They can watch online, they can watch the sermon when it is downloaded, etc. All of these reasons to not be devoted to Christ and His church. But, let Carolina and Clemson football begin and see the devotion that comes out then. Let July 4th come along and see the American flags that wave and plans to get together for cookouts. Our sinful minds and hearts can find so much else to be devoted to besides Christ and His church … and it hurts.
It also hurts to see passion misplaced. I’ve succumbed this year and am watching Euro 2020 (go England!), and enjoy watching the passion of the fans. Their passion leads to devotion, and their devotion leads to passion. It is great to watch! Oh, how we could all approach Christ and His church with that passion. I don’t mean painting our faces, draping ourselves in flags, and chanting throughout the match - we are the frozen chosen, so that wouldn’t go over well! But, what a pleasure it would be to see that more in God’s people! We can be passionate about football (Go Gamecocks!), BBQ (vinegar sauce all the way), and other things … yet we find passion waning when it come to Christ and His church.
More emotion isn’t the answer. More of anything else isn’t the answer. Jesus is the answer. It’s remembering what He taught us in John 15:13–16, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
There is so much we can unpack here, but allow me to point you to a couple of things:
Jesus’ love: He gave up His life for yours. He gave up His life for your eternal life.
Jesus’ friends: How wonderful it is to know that Jesus calls us friends. I cherish my friends … yet, I know Jesus cherishes me more as His friend.
Jesus’s chosen: Jesus chose to love us and be our friends. When we were so unlovable, rebellious, enemies, hateful … He chose to love us and call us friends. How can we plumb the depths of this wonder?!?!
Jesus’ fruit: We bear the fruit of Jesus’ love and friendship. We bear Christ-like fruit for the glory of Him and for the good His kingdom.
When we think on that, how can we not feel a desire to grow in devotion and passion? This growth only comes from Jesus, when we are in Jesus, and when we live for Jesus. Love, friendship, chosen, fruit: all found in Jesus and because of Jesus. The answer is always Jesus, especially when it comes to growing in devotion and passion.
This year, July 4th falls on the Lord’s Day. This is the day we get to exalt in the devotion and passion Jesus has for us, and for us to grow in devotion and passion for Jesus. It’s also the day where we remember how precious our freedom is and the prices paid for this freedom … maybe, as we sing a Psalm or hymn … when we read God’s word read and preached … when we pray in the name of Jesus … a tear will come to our eyes as we reflect on Jesus’ love, friendship, choosing, fruit for us, and that we can grow in devotion and passion for the one who is eternally devoted to us and passionate for our salvation and eternal life.