The Spirit and the Flame…

Retired Colonel Arthur Burke OAM reflects on Gallipoli like this; “On 25 April 1915 a new world was born. A new side of man's character was revealed. The Spirit of ANZAC was kindled. It flared with a previously unknown, almost superhuman strength. There was a determination, a zest, a drive which swept up from the beaches on Gallipoli Peninsula as the ANZACs thrust forward with their torch of freedom. As they fell, they threw those following the torch so their quest would maintain its momentum. That Torch of Freedom has continually been thrown from falling hands, has kindled in the catchers' souls a zeal and desire for both our individual liberty and our countries' liberty. That desire has been handed down with the memory and burns as brightly as the flame which first kindled it."

Not unlike the ANZACs at Gallipoli we might find ourselves in modern day “trenches” feeling like we’re under constant enemy fire.  We might find ourselves feeling oppressed and suppressed.  We might find ourselves in a hole that requires superhuman courage to climb out of.

Yet our Spirit is the Spirit of God.  Our torch is the Light of the world.

We look up and down the trenches to see our sisters and brothers “hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed”. 2Corinthians 4:8

And we declare, “Victory is ours!” because of what the Lord has done.  And we leap from the trenches with our banner raised high and charge forward without fear or trepidation.  For His sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered, because we know that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.