Today is the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. This solemn remembrance strikes me a bit differently this year, as for the last several months, I have been entrusted with the care of a young boy whose family is from Japan.
Today, I have thought about the history shared between our two countries. I have thought about the significance of this day and what my responsibility is to those who have served and sacrificed. I have thought about what it means to be an American, and how to reconcile our national patriotism with the broader scope of the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is difficult. After all, 70 years is a long time. Our countries are no longer enemies. We have long since become allies and friends. And yet, people remember.
We ought to remember. It hurts to remember. Still, perhaps we need to remember. We dishonor the memory of our predecessors if we fail to remember.
I have been blessed to know this Japanese family. I have been moved by their kindness to me and impressed by the compassion they have for their son.
So I too will remember this day, only I will seek to do so through the lens of some powerful Scriptures. These Scriptures speak of a Day that's coming; one that I think we all long for.
"And he will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war." Isaiah 2:4
"Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;" Revelation 22:1-3
Amen. May it be so.
