I would say, “Happy” Memorial Day to you all, but it seems a bit of an oxymoron to me. What I mean is…today is a sad day in some ways, as we celebrate those who gave their lives for our country, for us. It is also a day to start acting like those soldiers did. We need to put others before ourselves. We need to risk things for a good cause. There is no better call to action than the one from Jesus…
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:12-14 NIV
Soldiers have answered the call to lay down their lives. They have GIVEN their lives, on purpose, for our freedom. How selfless are they!…Although it is hard for me to celebrate on a day of memoriam, but being able to celebrate our freedom is a gift that someone else bought for us. That does make it extra special. Thank you, soldiers, past and present!!
Let’s really enjoy what they gave to us and reach out to military families that are hurting today. It’s not about us today and according to the Bible, neither is any other day about us. When we realize that simple fact, we can truly begin to live the life God meant for us. As always, I am preaching to myself more than anyone else. We have one life. Let’s get this right…
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 ESV
See, it’s really not about us…promoting us, fame, money, success, our kids’ successes, our home, cars, vacations, jobs or even how many followers we have…it is about loving, helping, encouraging, supporting and thinking of others and their needs Sorry so preachy! I get that way, lol, when I need to hear what I am saying myself! Love you all!
Am I answering my commanding officer’s call to serve others more than myself? Would He promote me for my good work done to others? Would He not promote me because I promote myself enough already? Do any of you need to answer the call that Jesus has laid upon your heart …maybe take on a special mission that has nothing to do with your success but the needs of others? Just some food for thought and action. Sacrifice and suffering done on purpose for others…hmmm…that sounds like what Jesus did! Let us be His good soldiers:)
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 NIV
A beautiful video and rendition of Isaac Watts’ , I am a Soldier of the Cross. Here are the lyrics too:
1 Am I a soldier of the cross,
a foll’wer of the Lamb,
and shall I fear to own his cause,
or blush to speak his name?
2 Must I be carried to the skies
on flow’ry beds of ease,
while others fought to win the prize,
and sailed thro’ bloody seas?
3 Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
to help me on to God?
4 Since I must fight if I would reign:
increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
supported by thy Word.
5 Thy saints, in all this glorious war,
shall conquer, though they die;
they view the triumph from afar,
and seize it with their eye.
6 When that illustrious day shall rise,
and all thine armies shine
in robes of vict’ry through the skies,
the glory shall be thine.
This was a long post today, but it is so important that we obey Jesus’ greatest command to love others and serve Him:)
Have a wonderful day. If you have lost a soldier of your own, my heart goes out to you. You are loved and thought about and your soldier’s legacy is a lesson to us all. It is a reminder of the legacy to others we are meant to be living out day-to-day. Love and prayers to you all:)
In His love,
Christina
Glory in the Morning 