Keep Calm and Carry On

Lord, where do I put my hope?

My only hope is in you.

Psalm 39:7

As I write, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games have just come to an end. Visitors from various countries have found the five words that are the title of this writing in various places. in the United Kingdom.    “Keep Calm and Carry On” can be found imprinted on mugs, small souvenir items, and clothing as well. Until recent years, folks in England anywhere couldn’t explain the meaning or origin of the saying.

In 2000, there was some light shed on the mystery. An English couple who owned a small book publishing company can be credited with solving the mystery. The gentleman opened an old box, one day, that contained several old books. In the bottom of the box were some folded up posters. As he unfolded those posters, there he saw five familiar words: “Keep Calm and Carry On.” The posters were dated 1939, around the time England found itself in the beginning of World War II. The saying reminded one of the many things Winston Churchill spoke to the people in that time in the way of encouragement. He told the people of that day that they should never give up...never, never, never give up. I'm sure back then, many people felt that the military and government would save them and provide for them. However, you and I know how limited even the most powerful men are. We have come to know that if we are to keep calm and go about our daily routine even in the worst of times, that it will take a strong faith and hope in our Heavenly Father.

So the mystery is solved and the saying on mugs, key chains, souvenir plates and shirts can be purchased with the words making sense, at least from a historical perspective. But when I saw those mugs in their varying colors, lined up neatly on shelves, polished and ready to be sold to Olympic visitors, I thought how appropriate for the English considering all they endured during those days when bombs by the ton were dropped on their country, especially on London by Nazi Germany. People fled almost nightly to bomb shelters unable to take anything with them except family members. During those days, families sent their children to the countrysides of England where they could be safe during the bombings. Life was rough and uncertain so in those days “Keep Calm and Carry On” became a kind of motto for the English.

I believe “Keep Calm and Carry On” isn't just for the English or for the tough times of war. It's a saying that is wonderfully encouraging for anyone...it is more than appropriate for we Christians. We know what keeping calm means. There is SO much about life that throws us into a tail spin, panic follows and we find ourselves curled up in a ball of depression. I'm sure during those days, people lived in a state of panic. I can't imagine living with windows covered so that light couldn't be spotted in the darkness of night for enemy planes to see, or jumping when one heard the first blare of warning sirens announcing the arrival of enemy planes filled with bombs of destruction. Keeping calm I would think would have been extremely difficult even under the best of circumstances during that time.

“Carry on”, however, for me would have been an entirely different story. With that kind of adversity and stress, how was a person expected to simply go about life as usual, maintaining ones cool...going to work, washing clothes, attending church, cooking supper, reading the newspaper, etc. all in the middle of the greatest of destruction. I'm sure there were many who were paralyzed by fear, but that wasn't the hope or expectation for a people encouraged to remain strong.

What could that simple motto say to we Christians, for it is one that is appropriate for the saved as well as the unsaved.  How can “Keep Calm and Carry On” (KCCO) apply in our everyday life? This motto of sorts was meant to encourage in the tough times of life.

                           ...Bad doctor's report-- KCCO

                                                                                              ...Financial crisis-- KCCO

                                                        ...Loss of job-- KCCO

                                                                      ...Rebellious child-- KCCO

                                    ...Car accident-- KCCO

                                                                                       ...Spouse wants a divorce-- KCCO

                  ...Death of a loved one-- KCCO

Our list could go on and each of us could add to it. The older we are, the more we've come to understand the importance of remaining calm, while somehow forcing ourselves to move forward even if we don't feel like it. The longer we walk in relationship with the Lord, the more we recognize God's empowering in our lives during the most difficult of times. With that empowering, we've seen how we can carry on in His strength and not on our own.

Where are we at this very moment in life? Every person goes through times of great trial or we know people who are. The Holy Spirit in us wants to give us a spirit of calmness and serenity and yes of resolve. It's ours for the taking. With that serenity from Him, we can get through anything life has to throw at us...so, carry on, my friend.

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Thank You Holy Spirit for being so much a part of me and for ministering in my life in so many wonderful ways. I couldn't get through this life as I should without Your strengthening. May I be faithful in my love and service to You, dear Father. I pray these things in the precious name of Jesus...Amen.