Have you ever seen those bumper stickers that say "only two people have ever given their life for you, the American soldier and Jesus Christ"? Or something like that.
Anyway, this time of year, everyone becomes a little more patriotic in appreciation of our Armed Forces. And it makes me stop and think, we have many family members and friends (as does everyone) who have served and are currently serving our country. But the handful I could name do not hold a candle to the immeasurable sacrifice many have given.....and I don't even know their names. But they gave their life for our freedoms. The freedom for me to have this silly blog and write whatever I want here, because I can, because of them. Soldiers who fight and those who died fighting in wars before I was even a twinkle in my mama's eye....because they had a deep love for their country, their fellow soldiers, their families waiting back home, etc.
To them and all members serving in any capacity I offer my deepest gratitude, knowing I am not worthy of their sacrifices daily at home and abroad, but am so thankful anyway. And that brings me to the verse this month:
"Greater love has no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
~John 15:13
Now what about Jesus laying down his life....for you and for me? Could you have down as this verse suggests, shown that love, by sacrificing your life?
Would you have given your life so Hitler could live? What about Osama bin Laden?
Would you lay down your life for the people you dislike the most? The people who rape children, who steal from your family, who are serial killers, who prey on the innocence of our youth, who gossip about everything and everybody, who bully your kids, etc.etc.etc.-- insert whatever evil and vile action or display you can think of, that has offended you, has betrayed you, has mocked you in some way.
Well, would you? Could you? Lay down your life in exchange for theirs, despite their blaring faults?
I will be honest, I can't. I wouldn't. But I tell you what I would do, what would be an easy way for me to honor this verse....I TOTALLY would and could lay down my life for my children. You better beleive I'd jump in front of that bus or bullet or cancer or famine or whatever was bestowed on them that intended harm, or death.....I'm there, with my big mama bear pants on. As most parents would say, certainly I would give my life in exchange for my children's, any day of the week. But I don't think I could give my life for your children, as much as I love you, my family and friends, and your children, would I really do that if asked? A pint of blood, some bone marrow, a kidney....sure, but not my life.
Which brings me to the realization that I definitely wouldn't sacrifice my firstborn son (or my middle child or my baby girl) for all those bad, bad people in the world. But God did. And to me that is so hard to swallow sometimes when I sit and think about it. Jesus died for Hitler. And Osama bin Laden. And Charles Manson. And Jerry Sandusky. And the girl who stole your boyfriend. And the kid who makes fun of your child's features. And their mother. And the co-worker who takes ALL the credit but gave forth none of the work. Yep. Every one of them.
You. Me. We are on the list too. We are a sinner. We deserve death. But Jesus calls us his friend, and he gave us life, in exchange for his own.
Light up your sparkler and celebrate, be thankful for our great nation, but be even more thankful for Jesus.
