Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2, NIV)
I learned a lot of lessons while our son was in the military. Some didn’t surprise me, like developing a deeper understanding of patriotism and sacrifice. Others, like truly understanding the expression no man left behind, caught me by surprise.
It has become a phrase that we’ve all heard. But when our son first enlisted, it was primarily used in the military.
He introduced us to its concept when he was about to leave for his first deployment. I was agonizing over the fact that he’d be in combat with no one to look out for him. Our son had an answer for that. “There’s a foundational value within our ranks,” he told me. “No man left behind.
That knowledge brought me peace.
And in the military, the wider meaning of no one left behind doesn’t end in combat. It permeates every aspect of military life.
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I saw it in operation after our son returned home and had to acclimate to life back in the States. I also saw it when he was about to be discharged and had to learn to navigate the VA system. Over the years, I’ve continued to watch him receive help and give help to others.
Watching this value in action has been one of the most beautiful examples of Scripture I’ve ever seen lived out. And it’s something I’ve tried to incorporate in my own life; it’s changed my entire way of thinking about personal responsibility. Now, no matter the circumstance, I’m keenly aware that God expects us to make sure no one is left out or left behind under any circumstances.
How can you make someone gets a helping hand?
