For a number of years now Canadians have worn red on Fridays, encouraged by the Red Fridays Foundation of Canada (http://www.redfridays.ca/index.htm). This public display shows our respect and that we support our troops who risk their lives for the benefit (especially) of the Afghan people.

Recently I have noticed that few people still follow the practice. Like all things human we lose interest in something after a certain time. That strange habit implies that what we supported no longer needs it. It simply vanishes from our personal radar screen.Yet Canadian troops (about one thousand) still deploy to Afghanistan. While the role has become one of support and training rather than front-line combat, we need to remember them for at least two reasons:

  1. our troops still deploy overseas;
  2. the station in Kabul remains dangerous, with bombs and attacks still taking place.
Support Our Troops x2

Support Our Troops x2 (Photo credit: jasoneppink)

Why do we give up on important things? Justice and persistence fade too quickly from the repertoire of our character.

Perhaps that is why throughout the Bible one of the main messages God repeats contains the reminder and order to persist, never give up and don’t wear out doing the good.

“We can’t allow ourselves to get tired of living the right way. Certainly, each of us will receive {everlasting life} at the proper time, if we don’t give up. Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10 God’s Word).

Maybe you think faithfully doing good takes too much effort. The sacrifice of those “in the thick of it” should embarrass anyone who would give up too soon.

Instead, “we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. We don’t look for things that can be seen but for things that can’t be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can’t be seen last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 God’s Word).

The spiritual life is about forever, not just until the latest fad fades.