Every 11th day of November in the United States is designated “Veterans Day.”  The federal holiday “is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated and to underscore the fact that all those who served — not only those who died — have sacrificed and done their duty,” the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says on its website.

On Veterans Day, American service members, past and current, may hear “Thank you for your service.”

I’d also like to recognize and say “thank you” to another group of veterans on this “Veterans Day” weekend: the “spiritual” veterans that continue to profoundly impact our lives in a positive way.

Spiritual veterans are those who:

Continue to seek to honor Jesus every day through their words and their actions.

Consistently “show up” at worship services and Bible classes to draw closer to God and to encourage others.

Serve God by serving others in any way possible, even if their health does not allow them to serve in the ways that they did in the past.

Take an interest in younger generations by loving them, encouraging them, and teaching them by their words and their example.

Seek to grow closer and closer to God by studying God’s Word, praying to Him continuously, worshipping Him, and living by His Word.

Humbly say to others: “Follow me as I follow Jesus” (1 Corinthians11:1).

There are people in my life that help me to see Jesus and His way more clearly.  I suspect many spiritual veterans come to your mind who have motivated you to live for Jesus.  Join me in thanking these spiritual veterans for their lives of service in the Kingdom of Christ.

Honorable spiritual veterans are those who direct us to Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

Honorable spiritual veterans encourage us to place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).

Honorable spiritual veterans show us how to walk in the steps of Jesus – not flawlessly but intentionally – knowing that as we walk in the light of His Word, then the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7-9).

I know I am one of myriads of people who continue to be blessed by being influenced and guided by people who help us to see Jesus.

Thank you, God, for our spiritual veterans.  And thank you to our spiritual veterans – you continue to bless our lives through your faithful service to God.

-- David A. Sargent

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org