We are half way through our ten week Stepping Up series with our church men’s group and the finish line is slowly coming into focus. This weeks topic was about men ‘stranding firm’ and it really hit home for me. The video that kick started the session led with a byopic of the the guards that have chosen to take on the duty of guarding the Tomb Of The Unknowns.

The Tomb of the Unknowns is a monument dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified. It is also known as the Tomb Of The Unknowns, but it has never been officially named. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States of America. The World War I “Unknown” is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the Victoria Cross, and several other foreign nations’ highest service awards. The U.S. Unknowns who were interred are also recipients of the Medal of Honor, presented by U.S. Presidents who presided over their funerals.ⁱ

Even if you already know this, its worth repeating — these soldiers have NEVER left the tomb unguarded for any reason. Pause and take that in for a minute!

Why the example of the Tomb Of The Unknowns? And, why is this so important in God calling a man to step up?

Lets unpack it a bit.

In August of 2011 Hurricane Irene, ranked as the seventh-costliest hurricane in United States history, bore down on much of the mid Atlantic states. On its way north the residents of the Washington D.C. area were strongly advised to find safer quarters. That was not the case for the elite soldiers who guard the Tomb Of The Unknowns. When the hurricane hit, the soldiers remained at their posts even though they were given permission to seek shelter. Since taking over the mission on April 6, 1948, Tomb Guards from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment’s “The Old Guard” have guarded the Tomb for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year regardless of the weather.

Men have you figured out where I’m going with this?

Many of us will not have the honor of serving as a guard at the Tomb Of The Unknowns, even if we wanted to, but we do have an opportunity to stand guard — to stand firm as men in our own lives. As a man, as a husband and as a father!

Let me share an excerpt from my book Heartstone of why the theme of the Tomb Of The Unknowns really hit home for me.

My kids would call me at work and ask me if I could come to one of their events, and I always responded with an excuse, telling them that my work was really important. I would get calls from my wife wondering if I would be home to eat dinner with the family or hoping that I wouldn’t be working late again. My weekends were wasted as I spent more time in the office giving more of myself to the taskmasters. I would find more and more to do to feed on the empty acceptance which never seemed to satisfy. Business trips required me to start traveling internationally, and I would always choose to travel alone without any thought of inviting my family. I would come home from a late night at the office and selfishly choose a silent retreat right into the home office to continue my work, further isolating my wife and kids. What I didn’t see was the contempt that began to take root between my wife and me. My family was slowly slipping away, and I was letting it.

The storm of my soon-to-follow divorce was still forming, ready to strike with a vengeance because I did not guard what God had entrusted me with. I did not stand firm because my focus was elsewhere. My focus was on me.

Looking for my value, my self-worth, and my identity with position and success, I would always choose a safe retreat into my hiding place of counterfeit affirmation—selling my soul to my work. I connected love with everything else but love because I didn’t know what real love was. It wasn’t what was poured into me as kid. My mom was there, but wasn’t always present. My parents were not physically divorced, but it really felt like they were emotionally divorced. I just wanted a hug—a warm embrace.

The good news is that even tough I had to walk through the valleys of divorce for God to get a hold of me, He has placed Godly men in my life to mentor me and the relationship with my Dad is healing. You may have been taken out men, but remember — you are NEVER out of the fight!

“Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God,” is the inscription Tomb Of The Unknowns and I think its a fitting connection point to the authentic manhood God is calling us to. Its not about “us” men, its about your wife, your kids, your family and those in your communities. It’s about giving up your life for the service of others and not for personal gain or recognition. Sure we all crave “the applause” but stand firm! Even when no one knows what you have done but you and God, the one who knows the true motives of your heart.

I had it “all” through the lens of the world, just read my story, but I’ve learned that authentic manhood isn’t defined by big feats or recognition or worldly achievement. It defined by putting away our selfish desires on behalf of our wives and children, serving others and seeking to better the lives of those around me. Like these soldiers, we are called to stand and do our duty while staring down the very storms that seek to rob us of our courage, taunting and tempting us to neglect our duty and abandon our posts.

I know the harsh realities of abandoning your post men, so choose this day to stand firm guard your post. Men guard it with passion and integrity. Action out what Titus 2:7-8 tells us; show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent can be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us!

That’s what a soldier does, that is what an authentic man of God does. He acknowledges the storm, but he doesn’t give in to it. He stands firm and guards his post no matter the cost.

The Sentinel’s Creed is the Tomb Guard standard and captures the true meaning of their duty.

My dedication to this sacred duty
is total and whole-hearted.
In the responsibility bestowed on me
never will I falter.
And with dignity and perseverance
my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise
and the discomfort of the elements,
I will walk my tour in humble reverence
to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect,
his bravery that made us so proud.
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day,
alone in the thoughtful peace of night,
this soldier will in honored glory rest
under my eternal vigilance.
– Simon 1971

Men, let’s finish strong!

I will leave you with this thought. If these soldiers can stand guard over the unknown dead, how much more important is it that we men stop focusing on ourselves and stand guard over those who are still living — our wives and our children?

Will you decide today to stand firm and guard your post — no matter what?