"Empty Duffel Bags"
by Pastor Roland
Grace Brethren Church of Millersburg
Just because World War II was finally over didn't mean that all the troops managed to get home in a timely fashion. It was bad enough for the soldiers scattered throughout Europe and the Pacific, but even worse for men swept into obscure corners of the world by the war.
The situation posed added difficulties for prisoners of war and internees, especially those in far-off Siberia. "We did our best to repatriate the men as fast as possible," said one officer, but many were still there when winter threatened to close up the ports."
With the temperature plummeting, the transport ship currently loading out in the Siberian harbor would be the last one out before a frigid Russian winter sealed the harbor tight.
Two soldiers who found themselves at the cold Russian harbor that day had been best friends as long as they could remember. In the same classes at school, they'd played ball together, worked for the same company, and even dated the same girls before the war. Captured together, they had endured a long Russian internment together.
Finally, those who would go on the last boatload to the waiting ship were announced -- one friend was selected, but the other one was not. They looked at each other in helpless frustration.
As the men lined up by the small boat, one final order was issued -- because of the overcrowded conditions on the troop transport, those leaving could take only one important piece of luggage. There was much scrambling as men discarded war trophies, extra clothing, books, and toiletry items.
Suddenly, the face of the man who was leaving lit up. Without a second thought, he upended his duffel bag, prized souvenirs and personal belongings fluttering away in the frosty breeze. Turning to his buddy, he said simply: Get in.
Then carefully lifting the bag on his shoulders, he boarded the ship with his friend as his single most precious possession.
Amazingly, Jesus chose us to be His friends. On the last night of his life, He said: The greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn t confide in his servants. Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me. [John 15:13b 15]
And Jesus wants us to show the same caring attitude to others as well -- Paul writes: Share each other s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. [Galatians 6:2]
So, who's in your duffel bag today? Is there room in your duffel for someone who desperately needs a friend to help them carry the burdens and cares of life? King Solomon reminds us that carrying others is just what friends are made for: A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need [Proverbs 17:17]
