Lessons Learned after Riding in an M1 Tank today.

Scripture Verses: Colossians 1:19-20 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Observation: Reconciliation only happens through the making of peace.

Application: When I got up this morning, it somehow never occurred to me to put “ride in a real M1 Army Tank” on my to-do list for the day. Nevertheless, that’s what I ended up doing this afternoon. What started out as a planned Invocation at a Change of Command ceremony quickly developed into subsequent tour of the tank production facility and, ultimately, a ride in one of the 70+ ton vehicles around curves at 40+ mph, up and back down a 60 degree hill, along the side of a 45 degree hill and back again where the driver literally squealed the rubber-padded tracks like a rowdy teenager in a supped-up Camaro. It was a nice little rush, to say the least.

Still, one can only wish that such marvels of military ingenuity weren’t necessary. The reconciliation and peace that the Lord accomplished through the blood of his cross somehow never made much of a dent in the human propensity for inflicting harm on one another. ‘Peacetime’ just means a time when the battles are more scattered and perhaps less militaristic. It seems there are always those who are ‘wounded’—emotionally if not also physically—in homes and neighborhoods in addition to the official battlefields. Surely there must be a better way.

We get glimpses of it (this better way) every now and then. Lightening strikes and completely burns a huge statue of Jesus along I-75 (popularly known as “touchdown Jesus”) and we are reminded, as a colleague put it on facebook: “JESUS is forever. [wood and] plastic resin, not so much!” The marvels of human engineering, whether in the military or even in front of a church, can never really bring about the kind of reconciliation that Jesus offers. They can only remind us that we’ve got a long, long way to go.

Prayer: Lord, real reconciliation is a daily process among individuals and communities. You’ve already endeavored to reconcile us all with you. Now please help us to be reconciled with each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.