A Call to Defend

By Rev. Bernie Schey

“They got him! They got him!” sang the voice on the phone at six in the morning one Sunday in December 2003. After a lot of other words, none of which I now remember, I mumbled, “Yeah, great news, glad to hear it, and thanks for calling.” I closed my eyes again and stumbled back to bed.

“What was that all about?” asked my wife. She had me there. But then I groggily realized that the voice on the phone had been one of my parishioners: a U. S. Army wife whose husband was a chopper pilot deployed to Iraq. I had confirmed him and baptized their three children. She’d been calling everyone she knew because she’d heard the news that Saddam Hussein had been apprehended. This, we all naively thought, probably meant that most of the bitter fighting would be over soon. Her husband would be home soon. Life could get back to normal.

That call came more than five years ago. It’s true that things in Iraq did eventually become more tolerable, but life got far worse before it got better for everyone in that war-torn country.

Whole families don’t serve onsite in Iraq or Afghanistan, but as a popular bumper sticker around here reads: “Half of My Heart is in Iraq.” You may know soldiers on the ground; a lot of them aren’t much older than you. So how do we, as Christians, care for individuals and families who serve in such dangerous places?

First, remember that God protects His children, wherever they are, even if you and I don’t always think about it. He sends His angels to guard and keep us, and His providence is over all the earth and all who live upon it. This obviously does not mean that no harm ever comes to the baptized children of God. Baptism doesn’t make a soldier bulletproof. But it does mean that whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord (Romans 14:7–9). As the writer to the Hebrews explains, God’s special angelic care extends to His baptized children. Baptismal grace is valid not just on this continent, but on all of them. “Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). That’s a great verse to rub in God’s ears as you pray for those in a war zone.

Second, remember communication. In past conflicts, communicating with combatants was rare. That’s not the case anymore. Taking the time to assure one or more of our soldiers of your personal concern and appreciation in your own writing means quite a lot to them. After all, if we are truly the body of Christ, then we are connected in that body to our brothers and sisters on the battlefield. When they suffer, we suffer. We share one another’s burdens in love. And as fellow members of the Body of Christ, our bond with Christians who serve in dangerous far away places runs much deeper than a patriotic “Welcome Home” parade.

It is also good to ask a soldier’s wife or husband, children, and parents about how their loved one is doing, and perhaps even write the family members a personal note. The families of soldiers need prayer too.

Third, understand that being away from loved ones is hard on relationships. This is especially true if one of the parties is under some sort of major stress, like being in a war zone. What frequently happens when a soldier returns to his or her family is that a wife or husband and their children welcome back one whom they must get to know again. Many soldiers returning from deployment feel like they are strangers to their own families. It takes time to feel as though they belong again. Among Christians, such families are blessed that the life-giving bond of Holy Baptism unites them, even when getting to know each other again can take time.

Finally, remember that while technology does much to protect our troops and save their lives when they’re injured, many wounds cannot be seen. Because of what they must see and do, soldiers often sacrifice peace of mind. They have a calling primarily to defend, but that can mean that they must kill some to protect others. How do they come to terms with the willingness to do such a thing? It’s not easy for many of them, and it must never be easy for a Christian; but in our post-September 11 world, we are more aware than ever that we need such defenders.They may suffer from a sense of guilt for doing their job, for making a mistake in the heat of battle, or even for surviving. (Why did I live through the IED attack and my friend did not?) If they want to talk, it’s a great kindness to listen. Even more, point them to your pastor. Gnawing guilt is taken away by Christ’s own Holy Absolution. Don’t be surprised or disappointed if they seek this Absolution many times, as well as counseling from a trained therapist. Point them to the Supper, to eat and drink the Body and Blood of Christ, the great feast of ultimate victory over all sin, evil, death, and war. In these gifts from the cross lie the greatest healing from the Greatest Healer, believing the Good News of the forgiveness of sins in Christ, just as we Christian civilians are called to do.

Christ Jesus heals as no other physician can, whether the patient is a soldier, sailor, Marine, airman, or gardenvariety citizen. God be with our troops.

Pastor Bernie Schey shepherds Trinity Lutheran Church in Copperas Cove, Texas. E-mail him at bschey@hot.rr.com.