Glory

Reminds me of an old adage I best not use here re dating.

Seriously, what is glory? Something you have or something you earn? Is it vanity and something to be avoided except by God, or is it a prize to be sought?

There is a scene in They Died With Their Boots On where Custer is asked by the smarmy cowardly Sharp where the regiment is riding. 'To Hell Sharp or to Glory. Depends on your point of view.'

Just suspend your disbelief re the movie (A good one in many ways. I'll have to do a review one day.), and think about that.

Maybe it means that you've got to go through hell before you get to heaven (Big Old Jet Airliner credit here). I'm sure it means there is a price for eveything. No E tickets to fame and fortune if that's your definition. Nor any easy way to Freedom, those efforts which are worthy, to me, of glory (on Earth).

The scene in Jesus Christ Superstar where Simon Zealotes urges Jesus to use his popularity to stir rebellion is noteworthy for Jesus' answer. None of the people of the time understood what power or glory were. That is, God's power and glory compared to that of Earth's. Different ball game there.

Different glories. Different places of being. Different attitudes.

Glory seekers often burn out. They set their eyes on the prize and not the result. Medals, renown, statues, a place in the history books tend to crowd their thoughts. Some just like to be the center of attention.

Getting the job done to me is the prize. Success is the best reward. As for medals etc, they are valued as symbols of those jobs well done. So is the experience gained. It carries on for others.

Most guys I've met who have medals didn't set out to get them. They had a job to do. They did it. Often the praise and renown are for those who watch, study, need examples.

I will tell you this. I don't care what your motivation is. There have always been divergent reasons for fighting for Freedom. Always will be.

What matters MOST is the fighting. The doing is important. So many don't, won't.

If you end up in the history books, so be it.

But do as David Crockett did and said.

'Be sure you're right, then go ahead.'

One more note (to parphrase Peter Marshall).

I believe when we go to spirit, God will not look for medals but will look for scars.