Lured by Infinity

In my small, rural hometown of Manila, Arkansas, there is small monument on a corner of what we called “Main St” (actually it’s Baltimore St., but it’s the main road through town) and Highway 18.  As a youth growing up there, I recall hearing a simple story about Herman Davis – a quiet war hero that almost went unnoticed by locals until near his death when he opened a tackle box full of medals.

Donna Jackson, mother of a high school classmate of mine, wrote an article last year giving a nice summary of Herman Davis’ life.  Here’s a link to this short article (well worth a quick read).

Today, as Americans, we remember that millions of others have given their lives for the ideals of this country.  Herman Davis didn’t die in action, but he did die shortly after returning home from WWI from complications of being gassed.  Sacrifices, as such, only make sense from the ultimate sacrifice of the incarnate Son of God laying down his life for his sheep (John 10).  Further, John and Jesus teach us that we show our love for one another by laying down our lives for the other (John 15, I John 3).  Without Jesus’ life and teaching, self-sacrifice is futile.

May we hear, with thankfulness, the stories of the men and women who laid down their lives in service to our country.  May that cause us to remember, with thankfulness, the ultimate laying down a life for another – God for us.  May this cause us to live selfless lives in loving one another.