Did you notice that this year, Remembrance Day fell right on the 11 of the 11 of 2011? Much talk was made about it, since it is the first date that coincides with all the 11s. But regardless of that curious date, what’s most important is what we celebrate on Remembrance Day, which is that we remember the sacrifice done by others on our behalf. Men and women who went to fight or help in that fight in order for us to enjoy the free life that we have.
Just in case you missed it, Martin Luther was borne on the 10th of November. He was also one of those persons who were willing to put their lives on the line so other Christians would come to enjoy the fullness of life that is found in the grace of God. We cherished those who lost their lives fighting for our life here and now, but do we cherished similarly the lives of those who were willing to fight for our eternal lives?
The only way we can fully honour those who gave their lives in wars is to continue to uphold the freedom their sacrifice gained for us. The only way we can honour those who endangered their lives so we could worship God freely, is to hang on the saviour they believed and served, Jesus.
2 comments:
I'm afraid I don't buy the line that 'they fought and died for our freedom'. Gallipoli - an English-led invasion of Turkey, for what? Thousands of young men from our Barham district were wiped out - for freedom? hardly.
Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, - our freedom? Our boys are used as cannon fodder for the masters of empire.
Lest we forget - that I agree with. Let's not forget or we'll go join some other pointless war.
Geoff, I think you are right. Some of these men, and now women, went to war thinking that they were fighting for the freedoms back home, but were being used as pawns in a bigger scheme, that of the big empires.
And I like your take on "Lest we forget", forget what? That war didn't achieve anything, and won't achieve a thing in the future.
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