As a baby boomer, I grew up in the shadow of World War II. My friend’s father was a POW in Nazis Germany, captured in North Africa at the beginning of the war. Airplanes flying overhead sent me screaming into the house, afraid of Japanese attacks. I ate my peas so European children wouldn’t starve and looked with respect upon the wounded veterans of our small town. We children played tag in the cemetery, running around the graves marked with small flags. World War II is forever intertwined with my childhood—even though I wasn’t born until it was over and my father didn’t serve in the military.
As I grew older and realized that WWII was over and could no longer harm me, my fears turned into fascination. In my years as a nurse, I cared for many veterans: a man who went ashore with the third wave of troops at Iwo Jima; a gunner in the "bubble" hanging under a bomber—shot out of his perch and imprisoned in Poland; a female officer who designed the original WAC uniform. Each shared a unique story.
Recently I spent a sick day in front of the TV as WWII movies played back-to-back all day long. Watching the Pearl Harbor attacks on December 7, 1941, my mother’s 16th birthday, was like a window into her early life. It made me realize how war split her world apart with brothers enlisting and her family moving to work in the San Pedro shipyards. A movie about Guadalcanal reminded me of a man in our small town who was shipwrecked when the USS Wasp went down. He used to come into the restaurant where I worked and always refused the customary glass of water—said he’d swallowed enough water at Guadalcanal. These and other memories flooded in as I watched the movies—as much comfort as the hot lemonade in my cup and the box of tissues at my side.
Later, as I drifted off to sleep, God spoke to my heart about spiritual lessons to be learned from World War II. After all, we are named soldiers in His spiritual army. Like Letterman’s Top Ten, these highlights were still vivid in my mind the next morning as I scribbled them down to share with you.
Being captured by the enemy does not mean the soldier joined the other side. Being captured by the enemy means the imprisoned soldier needs to be rescued and set free. "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 18:18
Being wounded in battle does not mean the soldier failed—such an attitude was the mark of the despot and dictator. God’s kingdom cares for its wounded with love and understanding. "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem…" Isaiah 40:1a
It’s always best to take the high ground. Think of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness—he took the moral high ground and could not be beaten. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21
Soldiers tired, sick, hungry or already injured fight most battles. There is never a perfect time or setting for confrontation. Soldiers have to do the best they can in the situation they find themselves. "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season." 2 Timothy 4:2a
The basis of all success is good training. "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall not turn from it." Proverbs 2:6
The outcome of the war is not always determined by troop strength. Smart leadership will win out every time. "It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them." Psalm 44:3
In desperate times, seek divine intervention. Dare to do the impossible. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
Persevere. Always hang on. Never give up. Never desert your cause. "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33b
True heroes are the ones who give their lives. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
The general is always scorned by foot soldiers that lack understanding of the bigger picture. Consider how billions of humans heap curses upon God because they do not understand him or know his Word. "But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan." Micah 4:12a
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:1-3
Here is a trustworthy saying: if we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2 Timothy 2:11-13
All scriptures taken from the New International Version.
