Funerals, Flags, and Faith

I have attended two funerals in the last several weeks. The first one was on February 7, and I would be surprised if you hadn’t heard about it. The other was today, and I would be surprised if you had heard about it.  

Chris Kyle’s funeral was a national event. There were thousands in attendance, including political dignitaries and news organizations, military heroes and famous musicians. It was the greatest, most moving display of unified patriotism I have personally seen in my life. (One of these A to Z posts will likely be about that experience.)

Ralph Sims’ funeral, on the other hand, was anything but a national event. There might have been a hundred and fifty people there. There were no news cameras. No dignitaries. No famous musicians. Just family, friends, and a few others who had the privilege of meeting him.

But I will tell you that both funerals, both events, both men had two things in common – two things that bond them together in a way that will continue to shape and mold my life as a man.

As I watched both caskets being carried out of each ceremony, each draped in an American flag, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming pride. Both of these men, while not in the same time, fashion, or stage, sacrificed part of their existence to secure the freedom of someone else. 

There were both military heroes. Chris was a hero of national acclaim. And although he never asked for the spotlight, he handled it with absolute humility and a deep sense of honor.

Ralph was a hero on a much quieter stage. But he was no less a hero (Even Chris would have said the same thing…) But hearing the words spoken about Ralph today by his friends and family revealed the same honor and humility that were displayed in Chris Kyle.   But it wasn’t the humility, honor, or sacrifice that made the greatest impression. That service to our nation wasn’t the strongest bond these two great men share.

The greatest aspect of both men was their unquestionable faith in Jesus Christ. Plain and simple, the faith that Chris and Ralph had in God’s Son is the ONLY reason each funeral was more celebration than it was mourning.

It was that faith, that trust, that ultimate surrender to Christ that allowed each of these men to be great. They would tell you the same thing. It was only through their faith that they were able to stand in the face of fear, to have peace in the face of chaos, and to have trust in the face of uncertainty in our world.

While I only had the honor of spending a very short time with Ralph, and an even shorter amount of time with Chris, the faith they each displayed stands as an example and a challenge for me. I hope it will for you…