We Remember...

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"...And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice." ~ Ronald Reagan

 I've always loved red poppies.  They remind me of places I've traveled and they just seem to pop up wherever.  But did you know that the red poppy is an international symbol of remembrance?  On Memorial Day, many across the globe wear red poppies to remember those who had given their life in service to their country.  This weekend is not a holiday for celebration of those who are currently serving their country (that is Veterans Day), but rather a solemn reflective time of gratitude and honor to those who died serving their country.  

After the devastation of WW1 throughout western Europe left the landscape destroyed, red poppies sprung up in France and Flanders, Belgium inspiring a war-fatigued brigade surgeon to write a poem honoring the fallen who lay beneath the poppies:

 

 

 What a beautiful picture of beauty from ashes and sorrow.  Nothing less than honor, dedication, humility, and courage are required when you serve your country.  As one who does not fully understand the sacrifice a family makes when they have lost someone to war, I want to appreciate what that means.  I never want to lessen its meaning.  I fear the further away the generations are that were directly impacted by conflicts will do just that.  

How can we model to our children & grandchildren the respect and appreciation we have for our country, especially when our country seems to be pulling further and further from godly values?  I have to ask myself if this is the first time a country has disavowed God?  No.  Is this the first time leaders have sought to please themselves and what they want rather than what God has desired for them? No.  Is any of this a surprise to God?  No.  

So as with anything, we turn to the Bible for answers.  The stories of the warriors in the Bible will fill our hearts with gratitude because they reflect the same qualities of honor, devotion, humility and courage that were seen by our fallen men and women we are honoring this weekend.  

David - used the courage and strength God gave him in the humble non-glorified job of being a shepherd to fight a proud, arrogant, & intimidating soldier who defied God.  One of the greatest stories of courage EVER.

Jonathan - as a best friend to David, used his position as prince to help David flee from his father King Saul.  As a result David became king, and our Savior was a descendant of this lineage.  One of the greatest stories of loyalty EVER.

Joseph - was treated inhumanely by his own brothers, sold into slavery, but ultimately placed in a high position of government during a famine.  When given a chance to retaliate using his authority, he instead chose to forgive his brothers and was able to bless them with food during a famine.  One of the greatest stories of forgiveness EVER.

Esther - used her position to help her people, though she faced death as a possible consequence of her stepping out in bravery.  As a result, an entire group of people were saved.  One of the greatest stories of self-sacrifice EVER.

 Jesus - totally innocent, without sin, could have commanded both earthly and heavenly armies, all-powerful, took on the penalty of a gruesomely painful death for what every person did without remorse, with love.  The greatest story of humility EVER. Laid down His life not just for a country, but for all mankind from the beginning to the end.  

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 America was founded on all of these God-given values, and though many have seemed to stray from them, it is up to us to instill them in our future generations.  Thanking a veteran for their service in front of our kids, respecting the flag, visiting historic sites, serving veterans that need us now, and making our youth familiar with the brave men and women of the Bible - all ways to demonstrate respect and appreciation for people who fought for our freedom we enjoy.  

Most of us have never known life without freedom.  Not talking about the lack of freedom to choose from only one gluten-free bread, or when our favorite jamocha shake machine is down at Arby's so ugh, what to do.

Freedom for America meant it was no longer under British rule and the lack of participation in the legislation that affected the citizens' lives. Other wars have been fought for democratic freedom for the people, or to restrict a leader from exerting power and control over another.  

Have you ever thought of the freedom you enjoy as a Christian because God allowed His one and only Son to be delivered up for us?  You are no longer under the curse of sin and the death sentence that accompanies it.  You are no longer under the law and the yoke that goes with never being able to be perfect enough to not break it. There is freedom in knowing you are accepted as you are - no amount of works or merit will gain us entry into heaven.  Oh to be relieved of that burden!

God has graciously even given us freedom to choose to follow Him and to choose our eternity.  He chose to accept us when we reject Him; to die for us knowing we might never accept Him as our Savior.     

As we remember those this weekend who embraced the spirit of freedom, please be mindful that the ultimate freedom is in Christ.  

✙ Lord, You are our Warrior who has rescued us from a life of loneliness on earth and eternal damnation after death.  For that freedom, we owe You everything.  Help us to cherish our freedom here on earth and to protect it at all costs.  We worship You in freedom, and lift up those who are unable to - give them strength and courage.  Make us Your warriors here on earth - show us people who need us to fight on their behalf - whether it be in prayer or actions.  Thank You that we are free indeed because of Your Son.  Amen.