Wave your flag

I was an avid vexillologist before Sheldon Cooper made it cool. My wife insist that it is an extremely dorky and boring interest. But she doesn't see the intricate use of symbology and design that come together to brilliantly represent a group of people.

On of my greatest honor in the Army was the brief time that I carried my platoon's guidon in basic training. This was a position of honor. To have some perspective on what this meant consider the movie Glory. In it the reluctant hero of Trip (Denzel Washington) is offered the honor of carrying his unit's colors (the Union Flag). He refuses saying that he isn't fighting for anyone else but himself. 

Therein lies the key to the guidon or color bearer. For centuries battlefield commanders had no way of controlling their men once the battle began. Drums, trumpets, and other audible commands could become useless in the clamor of combat. But on simple tactic was effective, the banner. Each unit would have it's own banner that would be readily recognizable to everyone on the field. During the battle the commander would be able to easily identify where each of his units were by simply locating the respective banner. But more importantly a soldier dazed in the fog of war need only to look up and find his colors to know where he need be.

For that reason it was vital that the standard bearer be the most brave of soldiers. They could not waver or falter under pressure for if they did their fleeing colors would trail a host of retreating soldiers behind. It is also important to remember that these soldiers were often nearly defenseless themselves. Simply imagine trying to hold a flag pole while holding anything else let alone wielding some kind of weapon. And they were the enemies primary target, cut them down and leave their unit lost in confusion.

And this is why Trip refused to carry the colors. He did not want to lead, he only wanted to kill as many "rebs" as he could. But in the end as Trip see his unit's colors fall to the ground and they are left demoralized and paralyzed by fear it is he who rushes forward and rallies his troops to charge on, only to be cut down himself.

But what about us? Are we willing to be the standard bearers? It's more than being willing to say "I am a Christian". It is saying "Brothers and Sisters follow me". All the while knowing that the enemy will be aiming the might of his arsenal at you. But still you pick up that banner and charge the hill.

And for those we follow, the leaders of the church, are they willing to carry the colors of our faith? Are they like Trip in the first who only wanted to do what was best for him? Or are they like him in his final moments, holding that flag high even as they are struck down?

In the end I only carried my platoon's guidon for two days. I was stripped of that honor because after dinner one evening I was not the first one out of the dinning facility. I was not late, I was not the last one, I simply was not first. If I was not first I could not lead. No less should we ask of the leaders of our faith.