The "Greater Love"

John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends."

If there is one lesson that history has taught America it's that freedom isn't free. There is a price to be paid to live as free men and women. For America to become a free nation, blood had to be shed. For America to continue to enjoy the freedom she had won, blood had to be shed. Over and over again throughout the course of our history wars had to be fought to ensure that America continues to be a free nation. No my friends, peace doesn't happen automatically, peace must be achieved.

I find it interesting that the older I get the less people in this country recognize the price that was paid for us to enjoy the freedoms we possess. How quickly we have forgotten the pain and agony of WWI and WWII. War wasn't easy then and it's definitely not easy now. There are those that would argue about the justification of war. Which battles do we as a nation get involved with? Where are we willing to fight to ensure the peace and security of our nation and our allies? Since we are a free nation we have the opportunity to question the actions of our leaders. However, I am a firm believer that once our troops are committed to fighting we should support their endeavors completely.

I don't know of any father or mother who gladly sends their child off to war. I don't know of any soldier who cheerfully looks at the possibility of death. But I will say that this nation has been blessed by those who were willing to fight to protect our nation. We are fortunate enough to have Americans who believe in the cost of freedom and are ready to pay it's price.

Memorial Day has been set apart to honor those who have given their lives to serve and protect our nations greatest interests: freedom. This is not just some obscure holiday or 3 day weekend. This happens to be one of the most important remembrances our nation does every year. This past week our home town had a rally to remember those who have given their lives in war. As bikers from around our nation joined together to make a "run for the wall" in Washington DC, we are reminded once again of what makes our nation so great. As these men and women streak across the landscape of our state we are reminded of those who boarded a ship or plane for the very first time without the promise of ever returning home.

I find it interesting that the news media would rather do a piece promoting those who protest outside of recruitment centers for our armed forces rather than focus on those who actually honor the service and work that is being done everyday for the cause of America.

Today, let us be reminded of those who have given their lives. Let us take the time to honor those who have exemplified the "Greater Love" of Christ for their brothers and sisters of this country. If there is one thing that unites us as Americans it's the freedoms that we hold dear. Those freedoms came at a great price. Today we think of those who paid it.

This Memorial Day I say "Thank You" to all of those who have honored us. Oh, how I wish that we could go to war without the loss of life. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we never had to say "good-bye" to a man or woman in uniform? But the reality of life and freedom is that someone will pay the price. Today we say "Thanks". Your sacrifice, your service, and your love for this country and your fellow man is not in vain.

Heavenly Father,
Today we thank You for blessing us with individuals who have been willing to give their lives to protect our freedoms. We thank You for the framers of this nation who faced the threats of loss to ensure that America would be a free nation. We thank You for those who were willing to lay down their lives for their friends. Father, we pray for the families who have had to say good-bye to a loved one for the cost of freedom. We pray for Your peace to reign in their lives. We pray for this nation that we will never shrink away from conflict if it is the only means for protecting this nation. Father, we pray for the resolve of this nation. We pray that we will always pay freedoms price with honor and dignity. And God we ask for those who are being deployed in harms way that you will watch over them and their families back home.
We know that you understand sacrifice even more than we do. You gave your Son so that we could have freedom from sin and death. We honor those who have given their best for us.
In Jesus' Name - Amen.