It was a beautiful site. But it was odd to me. A lot to take in.
Young families were running in and out of the water sporting their fashionable swimwear. Balls and frisbees were flying around. Young children were taking their first steps in the sand.
And rising up from the sandy beach was a memorial to Allied Forces who had given their lives on June 6, 1944—D-Day. This was Omaha Beach.
As I sat on the stone beach wall eating my beget, chips, and brownie, and watching so many people enjoy themselves, I was reminded that hope still happens. All that is lost does not have to be lost forever. The ground that’s been lost can be reclaimed and restored.
All that is lost does not have to be lost forever. The ground that’s been lost can be reclaimed and restored.
While the forces that press against us are not armed with Nazi guns and tanks, they are fueled by an ideology that rejects God and the redeeming person and work of Jesus, elevates human autonomy, divides people, and worships power over virtue. The result is profound brokenness on a personal level as well as a societal one.
What does it take then to turn this battleground into a playground? What does it take to restore gladness where things seemed so grim? What’s required of us when everything seems too far gone?
Consider these six marks the heroes of D-Day demonstrated that allowed them to take back lost ground and give it back to France and to free the world of Nazi tyranny:
A Willingness to Go First
The Allied Forces did not wait for someone else to do what they had the responsibility to do. I recently heard Jay Strack say it like this, “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.” So, if not you, who?
A Bigger-Than-Self Worldview
Even if they survived, the brave soldiers of D-Day would never enjoy the ground they were winning. Their sacrifice was for someone else. People from all around the world now enjoy that beach, people except the men who won it.
A Long View of Success
The men who stormed those beaches trained for up to two years before go-time. The battle was long. And the time it took for the blood to dissolve, the bodies to be recovered, and the land restored took even longer. A vision for a better future motivates the long work necessary to finish the task.
An Unrelenting Determination for Victory
By the end of the day on June 6, 1944, victory was not in hand. Our forces struggled to advance. Yet by shear determination through the following day, they won the beaches. But victory was still not theirs. They had to push on toward Paris. Victory is never guaranteed, but defeat is a sure thing for those who quit.
A Preparation for Maximum Impact
Consider the vastness of this operation described by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library:
“The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries. Almost 133,000 troops from the United States, the British Commonwealth, and their allies, landed on D-Day. Casualties from these countries during the landing numbered 10,300. By June 30, over 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies had landed on the Normandy shores.” (Source: Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library)
Overwhelming victory requires overwhelming preparation.
A Support Network that Sustains Service
The troops that landed on Omaha Beach that day were not alone. Entire nations, including military personnel, public servants, financial experts, manufacturers, religious leaders, family, and friends, were all unified around a common goal. Your best is not enough. Significant service that produces lasting hope always requires a team, a group of people working together toward a common goal. If you’re not a team-person, the mission of God is not for you.
Many of us grieve the spiritual and social brokenness around us. We wring our hands, and push out cliches on the socials championing the virtues of the way things used to be or should be. But hope is not behind us. Healing is not found in hanging on to what was, because what was got us right here.
Hope is not behind us. Healing is not found in hanging on to what was, because what was got us right here.
Instead, the revival and awakening needed to capture the hearts of the next generation erupts from the tenacious faith in Jesus of this one—a faith that moves us to act in ways similar to the heroes who stormed Normandy almost 80 years ago. This time we’re not armed with artillery, but with feet properly shod with the Gospel of peace.
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
My wife, Deborah, and our youngest daughter, Hannah, had the privilege a spending a week in Europe in July as a part of Student Leadership University, a Christian leadership program Hannah has been connected to for three years. If you have kids, you should connect them to Student Leadership University.
EVERYONE’S WILSON
I’m the Executive Director of Everyone’s Wilson—a community transformation initiative. Our mission is to unite the Church to engage the community, so everyone thrives. Very simply, we’re passionate about helping Jesus-loving people live like missionaries in their local community through prayer, equipping, collaboration, and service.
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