Memorial Day: What will you remember?

Today in this wonderful country of the United States of America is Memorial Day.  It is a day we remember all of our military servicemen and women that have served in our armed forces.  These servicemen and women have volunteered their lives to help protect this nation and its citizens.  Our country has seen many wars and has lost so many of its military personnel during these wars.  My grandfather served in the Army and was stationed at Scofield Barracks in Pearl Harbor when Japan attacked our country.  He was a strong, brave, courageous and honorable man.  He came home from the war with hearing loss and he never walked quite right...almost like he was off balance all the time.  He had no peripheral vision either when he came home.  I will always remember my grandmother telling my brother, sister and I to never come up behind him because he couldn't see us.  Mammaw was always concerned when we were little that if we came back up behind he couldn't hear us and might step on us or hurt us.  Both my grandparents are with the Lord now, and have been gone for many years.  I miss them both every day even after all this time, but I am thankful for the service of my grandfather during one of the worst times in our country's history.

My husband served in the Navy during the eighties.  He did not serve during war time, but was on board ship during the Iran Contra crisis and spent many months at a time away from his children.  Many men and women haven't served during war time, but are a part of our nation's history nonetheless.  Our military service is volunteer at this time.  We do not have drafts and we do not require service.  It takes a special person with a selfless heart to serve in military life.  It takes so much sacrifice not just from the individual, but from the families as well.  The danger of loss of life is always present, yet these men and women place themselves in harm's way to protect their homeland.  The person that enlists in the armed services chooses to make those sacrifices.  John 15:13 says:

No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

I view those that offer themselves for these posts in the same manner that Jesus told His disciples there was no greater love than to sacrifice your life for friends.  This Memorial Day, I would like to remember that we had One Man that laid down His life so that ALL men and women, regardless of creed, color, nationality could receive salvation and live in freedom. 

Our Creator loved us so much, and so unconditionally, that He sent His Son to pay the ransom price for our souls so we can be returned to a right relationship with Him.  John 3:16:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 

We must believe in Him, that He is the Son of God, and we shall not die.  We will have everlasting life.  How awesome and amazing is that?  We must trust in the Word of God and its truth after all Jesus holds the keys to hell and death.

Rev 1:17 - And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying to me, Do not fear, I am the First and the Last,
Rev 1:18 - and the Living One, and I became dead, and behold, I am alive for ever and ever, Amen. And I have the keys of hell and of death.

Our Savior is a Mighty Warrior! He defeated death, hell and the grave when died, descended and rose again alive! He provides us freedom. He provides freedom from sin; from condemnation; from death; from hell; from the worries of this life; from the fiery darts and attacks of our enemies.

Unlike our soldiers, Jesus already holds the keys of death and hell.  Once we believe in Him we have everlasting life because of One Man's sacrifice!  Our soldiers help protect our ways of life, they help to protect our homeland from invaders, from terrorists - domestic or foreign - they serve as role models.  No matter what country we live in, we all should be thankful to those serving in the military services.  They are truly to be admired and respected for what they do each and every day and for those that gave all...Thank you.  

So, as we remember all soldiers today for their sacrifices, remember the One who paid the ultimate sacrifice..but rose again to join us to Himself once again.  He is the Alpha and the Omega.  The First and the Last.  The Beginning and the End.