Chaplain's Communiqué

April 2018 Message (Rev. David Gillis, Post Chaplain)
Understanding Our Dual-Citizenship

The events surrounding the holiday we know as Easter and with it the season of Spring always brings with it a refreshing invitation to new beginnings.  As Legionnaires we are also approaching a new membership year, a new beginning, and closer to our 100^th anniversary as the nation’s oldest and largest veterans’ organizations, yet another new beginning.  We have so much to look forward to and so very much to be thankful for.  

Possibly as we’re exploring new beginnings it is an ideal time for us as Legionnaires to renew our vision as to who we are and why we maintain membership in this organization.  That shouldn’t be too difficult since we begin our membership meetings with a commitment to God and country that we associate ourselves together for ten specific purposes.  Here we are identifying ourselves as dual citizens – one is of God’s kingdom and the other the United States of America.

Certainly, for the length of time we are on this earth and remain believers in God, we will possess dual citizenships.  On one hand we give allegiance to our visible nation and commit to being one of its good citizens.  Yet we must remember that we are also and most importantly citizens of the invisible kingdom of God.  Our greatest loyalty is to Him and the ten purposes listed in our constitutional preamble allows us to do that.

Some citizens of our nation are far too focused on their personal energies and individual goals.  Unfortunately, others drift through life with little direction and seemly no purpose, simply living for the moment and rarely considering where they’re going.  Many people are sandwiched in between, but all with a common objective: To live only for themselves and individual happiness.  

But it doesn’t have to be that way.  When we understand our dual citizenship, we realize that God gives us a relationship not only with Himself, but with an entire family – the family of God.  You’re not only related to God; you are also related to other believers – spiritual brothers and sisters.  That is why as Legionnaires we associate ourselves together for God and country.  And, in the process we can recognize Him as our Heavenly Father and all of us are spiritually born as His children.  What a tremendous family we can be.

Maybe as part of our new beginning we need to remember our dual-citizenship and what God offers as a result: A new outlook on life, a new understanding relationships, a renewed focus on purpose, a re-energized power, and a meaningful vision of our destiny.  Let us not take for granted the words we use to begin our preamble” “For God and country.”  It tells us what our obligations are and where our commitments must be.  

Post Prayer:  Dear God.  As we journey through life and find new beginnings, we ask that You guide us even when we might question or doubt the direction You are leading us in.  Give us strength when we stumble, helping us to life up others as they fall on their own paths.  Assist us in seeing the help others provide us, and help us to offer help to those we meet.  Oh, God, create for us a path of wisdom and help us to have compassion for others along our way.  Amen.