"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." I John 3:16-18
November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans. An important purpose of Veterans Day is to pause, reflect, and remember to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Veteran's Day was a very significant day for me personally. It is the day that my father passed away 18 years ago. Many of you knew that he was a giant of a man, standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, but not just a giant in stature but a giant of an example to me of what a father’s love was originally created to be. He was strong, firm yet kind, committed. He loved and cared for our family until the day he died. He gave sacrificially of his time, talents and treasure so that we would have the things we needed. My father was also a Veteran and loved this country very much, he flew our family flag every patriotic holiday of the year, so it is very special for me to pause and reflect that he served our country with honor and faithfulness just as he did with our family. We are blessed to have several Veterans at Grace Harbor Church, and we should always take the opportunity to personally thank them AND their families for their sacrificial service to defend and protect our homeland and our rights as Americans. The news is filled with protestors lately, and when I see them I realize that this country is very unique in that we have the freedom to express ourselves openly, we have the right to stand up for our faith in God, and we have so many rich blessings in this country because of God’s grace and mercy. He has blessed us with men and women who stand watch on our walls, who fight in other lands to protect the innocent and to establish peace, and we must never forget that Freedom is never Free. If you know a Veteran, please take time to shake his or her hand, give them a hug, send them an email or card, and find a way to tell them how much you appreciate them.
As we reflect on Veteran’s Day, let us sincerely thank our living Veterans, remember our fallen soldiers and loved ones who have gone ahead to their heavenly reward, and be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victories we have shared as a nation. But also honor and thank our Heavenly Father for His great sacrifice by sending His one and only Son Who came to seek and save those who were lost and dying in sin. Jesus Christ died in our place to take away our iniquities and to show the depths of His mighty love for us as His children. Our Savior loved us so much, and understood the importance of being willing to lay down His life for us. Jesus said: “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13) We should also never take His sacrifice of love for granted, my beloved brothers and sisters. We can celebrate THIS greatest victory that Jesus Christ achieved on our behalf “when the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." (I Corinthians 15:54).
Let us remember to not love with only words or speech but with our actions and in truth!
Shalom, sister Lahoma
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