Honor Guard

I witnessed a military funeral yesterday.  As I was sitting in my office building cafeteria I looked out of the windows and saw 4-5 DOZEN motorcycles leading a funeral procession to the cemetery located just west of our building.  I walked over to the windows to get a better view.  And what a view. 

Hundreds of people, soldiers, bikers, friends, family were waiting at the gravesite to pay their final respects to a man that had given his life for his country.  I found out later that the Captain had left behind a wife and 3 kids, all of the kids under the age of 13.  What’s worse, he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq just ONE WEEK before he was to come home. 

The Honor Guard there looked sharp dressed in their full-dress uniforms.  The Patriot Guard bikers were a sight to see carrying flags and standing at attention.  The rifle salute probably startled some, but drew the attention of passers-by.

What will our “welcome home” look like?  Will those that are faithful to God receive such honor on the “other side” as this Captain did when he died?  Will the “last” really get to go to the head of the line?  Will those that drew little attention here on Earth as they served God be the “belle of the ball”? 

I imagine, as in Hebrews, it being like running into Olympic Stadium to finish the running the marathon.  Imagine the crowd, most of whom you’ve never met, cheering you towards the white tape.  Imagine guys like Peter, Paul, Stephen, and Mark giving each other high fives.  Imagine Jesus coming over the loudspeaker and announcing your name as you run to the line.  Imagine the “honor guard” waiting for you at the finish.

Mine is my grandfather, whom I’ve never met, standing tall on two good legs.  It’s my grandmother who used to call me her “pill.”  It’s my grandfather dressed in his World War II Marine dress greens.  It’s my wife’s grandfather, the Canadian rancher, whistling as loudly as he can. 

Run hard, finish strong.