by Darcia Kunkel

Our Ultimate Responsibility.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8, English Standard Version

I work for the Military Science Department at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Like many military patches, the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AROTC) emblem is very distinct and consists of various elements relating to their motto “Leadership Excellence.” The motto itself expresses the ultimate obligation of the Army ROTC in the discharge of its moral responsibility to the nation.

The patch is divided into quadrants representing the four traditional military science courses for senior ROTC curriculum. The sword signifies courage, gallantry, and self-sacrifice. The color gold represents the initial gold bar rank worn by new lieutenants. The helmet is symbolic of the ancient Greek civilization concept of the warrior scholar. The lamp denotes the pursuit of knowledge, higher learning, and the partnership of the military with colleges and universities.

In his epistle to the Philippians, Paul urges us to focus our attention on whatever is honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable. We are urged to seek out and fixate upon excellence….to find the good in every situation. In fact, it is our responsibility to do so.

How often are we preoccupied with the bad and ugly events within our lives? The world constantly bombards us with negativity – from news reports to everyday occurrences. We are gripped by fear and anxiety, and become numb to violence, poverty, and sin. However, even in the midst of tragedies and pain, there is always hope. Heroes, compassion, and solutions often arise right in the middle of it all. We must strive to let those examples and displays consume our thoughts.

Lord, may I always seek to find truth, good news, excellence, and honor within my own life and within the world I inhabit.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado