When a Soldier Falls
Today I was blessed with the opportunity to serve at a funeral for a fallen American Marine. The family was grieving, the body was in the open casket at the front of the church, and people were filing in to pay their respects. At the front door were men and women holding American flags to honor the procession of the dead soldier.
Everyone was grieving the dead.
As a Christian, we are soldiers in a war that is not fought against flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world (Ephesians 6:12). Every day, Christians around the world are martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ. Even here in America there are those of us who are persecuted, not physically, but verbally, emotionally, and mentally, by those who would rather see Christianity wiped from the face of America.
I’m not going to go onto a political rant. That is not my intention. But what happens when a soldier falls?
First, our grave will be empty. Luke 24:5 asks us, “Why do you search among the dead for someone who is alive?” The instant that a Christian’s body hits the floor in death, they are awakened in heaven.
And then, similar to that procession of the dead soldier being walked past the flags on the way to the hearse, I picture the Christian soul walking past the angels and saints in heaven on the joyful way to meet with our Creator. We walk past them all, standing in honor of being a good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23).
And as we reach the end of our journey, we kneel before our God as He looks down at us and simply smiles, knowing that we fought the good fight, kept the faith, and did all those other awesome clichés that will now all makes sense.
When a CHRISTIAN soldier falls, he wakes up in glory.
boyradd 
ohhh, i just want to hear…well done!!!
praying for the loss but thankful for the reminder.
@spreadingJOY
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