John 15:13

Many in the modern Western nations do not understand the role of warrior or soldier.  In ancient times, the warriors were also the governors because they understood putting the welfare of another over that of themselves.  Some refer to this idea as the law of sacrifice.

It is not so important what you call it, only that one understands and holds the ability to place the good of the many over that of the few, or  the one.  For this reason, I enlisted in the US Army.  I was not an officer.

My commission was simpler.  It involved going out in front of the Infantry to find the enemy.  Our job as Forward Observers was to locate and triangulate dangerous assets arrayed against us.  We then called them in to higher authority to calculate trajectories.

Once they hashed the data they issued the go ahead and we called artillery or close air support on the targets.  Artillery has been named the King of Battle from practically the revolutionary war days because of its combat effectiveness.

Yet few could tell you the quote posted at the entrance to the Field Artillery School at
Fort Sill Oklahoma.  It is a quote from the King James Version of the Bible.  From John 15:13 it states:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

This is why I enlisted.  To know what it was like to put the welfare of my people before myself.  Never have I questioned my ability to sacrifice.  But I still wanted to know the feeling for myself.  If one is ever to lead others one must learn to follow one’s self.

Nonetheless, the full quote goes further and deeper.  The master from
Galilee states:

“12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

All masters seek friends, not followers or servants.  They screen the masses for the seekers, those who seek to know that which lasts forever.  Everything in the material world ages and fades.  Only one thing is immortal, that is your consciousness, your awareness.

Life is about finding these friends; those with whom you can share your awareness in all of its glory, uncensored.  Discover the parts of yourself that never decay, share them with those you love.

References:

King James Bible. John 13:15.  Retrieved March 25, 2007, from http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015;&version=9