Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day.  It is a day dedicated to honor those brave men and women who lost their lives while serving our great nation.  Those brave soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice so that all of us can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy in our daily lives.  Who knows what the world would be like had those soldiers not been brave enough to stand up to the evil and hatred in our world throughout history. 

Most of us have no idea what the members of our military face on a daily basis.  We live our lives under their umbrella of security.  We get nervous going into a “bad neighborhood”, where they charge into warzones filled with enemies looking for them.  Our view of a hard or bad day pales in comparison to their version.  We all need to look at the members of our military with honor and thanks.

Although the Bible predates our country by a few years, a lot of the same principles can be seen throughout it. 

John 15 : 13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  The selflessness of military service draws a strong parallel to that verse.  Another good verse is

Mark 10 : 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Serving is a choice these days, we need to remember that.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”  Those men and women are brave and powerful.

There are many more references in the Bible that we can compare to the selfless act of military service, but you get the idea. 

We have been shown an example of a life in true service to others when we study the life of Jesus.  He helped others in need, showed grace to the undeserving, flipped the tables of those doing wrong, and gave his life for us. 

Today let us give thanks and honor to all our brave soldiers who gave it all for us to life in freedom.  Our job is to make sure their sacrifice was worth it, by making this world the best it can be.