Between D-Day & VE Day

We watched Tom Hanks World War II mini-series "Band of Brothers" in 2008.  The series is about an American troupe called "Easy Company" who fought in Europe in World War II.  They fought on the D-Day beaches.  They also fought in Operation Market Garden.  Remember the paratroopers floating over Holland?  And they participated in the Battle of the Bulge where they almost froze to death in Belgium's Ardennes Forest.  You would think that D-Day would have been the ultimate triumph; but it was only the beginning.  The Allies, although gaining much momentum after landing on Normandy's beaches, had to dig their heals in and fight some of their most vicious battles between D-Day (June 6, 1944) and VE Day (May 8, 1945). 

D-Day photo courtesy d-day-invasion.jpg

Our former minister, Donald Young, once said that the period we live in now, between the first and second comings of Christ, is like the stretch between D-Day and VE Day.  As Christians, we are certain that Christianity will triumph in the end.  However, we have to let the story play itself out first.  Some of our most difficult battles have yet to be fought; but we will win the battle.  We have to be strong like the Allied soldiers in Europe who also had a noble cause.  In the end, the Allies not only liberated civilians, but also concentration camp victims.  Holland was so grateful for Canada's role in their liberation that its residents still send us tulips each Spring. 


V-E Day photo courtesy www.toronto.ca/archives

Being Christians in today's society is not easy; we often seem to be the target of others.  Speaking the truth often makes us unpopular.  "Easy Company" troupe definitely did not have it easy, but they persevered and they won the war.  We Christians will, too!

"And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:32)