For Freedom

We have many wonderful days that we celebrate in the United States, but my belief is one of the most important days to take reflection is today, Memorial Day.  Today we honor the men and women who gave their lives for our country.  The courage of anyone who is in the armed forces amazes me.  These incredible people walk into the service.  They train, they grow, they learn.  In all appearances, it sounds like they walk into a new job.  Yet, I believe this is where the similarities to every day life ends.  After training, growing and learning, they serve.  Not in the way many of us may serve our employers.  

When we walk into our daily jobs, there isn't a sense of sacrifice.  When our service men and women walk into their job each day, there is total sacrifice. They sacrifice seeing their family and friends for months on end while on deployment.  They sacrifice a safe work environment for one where they are on constant guard for their fellow team members.  They sacrifice normal work hours.  They sacrifice a home cooked meal.  They sacrifice picking up the phone and calling a loved one.  Most importantly, as they walk into their jobs, they sacrifice their lives.  Today, Memorial Day, marks those who willingly gave of themselves so that our freedoms here in the United States may be preserved.

There is only one other person who has willingly done that - Jesus.  He willingly walked away from family and friends to the cross.  He willingly walked away from the safety of his heavenly home to come to earth to be our sacrificial lamb.  He willingly was on guard for us, his people, from the hands of the devil.  He willingly walked to Calvary and died for us - so that we might have freedom.

Jesus' sacrifice has provided us freedom from the chains of sin, freedom from hell, and freedom from the devil.  His sacrifice has given us a life where we can walk confidently through troubling times knowing we have Jesus on our side.  His sacrifice has given us an unconditional love that is so great it is hard to fathom.  His sacrifice has given us hope for an eternal life with him.

Freedoms that are bought for us with a life cannot be repaid.  Yet, they can be honored.  May we honor those who have fought for this country and lost their lives doing so.  May we honor the one and only Savior who fought for his people and lost His life doing so.  May we always rejoice with our heavenly Father in the joy of his sacrifice for our freedom from eternal hell.  For Freedom!!

Dearest Jesus, we thank you for giving your life for our lives.  We know that our eternal freedom was bought for a price - your life.  May we honor you and praise your name throughout our days.  Today, may we also remember the men and women who gave of their lives for our freedom in the United States.  Thank you, Jesus, for bringing us such brave men and women.  In your freedom fighting name we pray, Amen!