Keep Going

"As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good." 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Jarrette Schule owns some property in Comal County, Texas.

It was while he was cutting some trees on that semi-remote piece of property that Schule came across something that looked like a missile launcher.

Actually, it was a missile launcher, its identity being determined by the words on the side of the weapon that said, "Guided Missile and Launcher, Surface Attack."

Sure enough, Schule had found a Dragon surface-to-surface missile. It's the kind of missile, which, when a soldier points it at an enemy's tank, it makes the tank and the enemy go away.

Being a good citizen, Schule tried to turn the missile in to the authorities. That's when his story got interesting.

Schule called the FBI; the FBI didn't want it. He called Homeland Security. They didn't want it. He called the sheriff and every agency he could think of. He talked to the military police at Fort Sam Houston, but their authority didn't extend beyond the base. Nobody wanted the weapon.

Finally, and at long last, Schule's request was passed on to an Army criminal investigator who, along with an ordinance disposal team from Lackland Air Force Base, picked up the weapon that was, at that point in time, sitting on Schule's dining room table.

When I read Schule's story last week, I was impressed by how hard it was for him to do the right thing. I know a lot of folks who would have said, "forget it," and thrown the launcher in the dumpster. I am acquainted with more than one person who would have been glad to use the launcher at a Fourth of July celebration.

But Schule didn't get tired of trying to do the right thing, and we shouldn't either. That's what St. Paul said to the church in Thessalonica.

After all, we have a Savior who in spite of being hated, mocked, misunderstood, and rejected, still gave Himself as the ransom that buys our forgiveness and earns our salvation.

In short, we have a Savior who didn't tire of doing the right thing. It is an example we should follow. It's the right thing to do and more importantly; it's the Christian thing to do.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord I give thanks I have a Savior who did not falter or fail on His gracious mission to save me. Now may I, as the Holy Spirit gives opportunity, also prove myself faithful. May I try to do that which is right, and make a witness to my long-suffering Savior. In His Name. Amen.

Pastor Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries http://www.lhm.org/ all rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.