“This is why the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life-in order to take it up again! No one takes it away from Me, on the contrary, I lay it down and I have the power to take it up again. This is what my Father commanded me to do.” John 10:17-18 The United States of America has designated November 11 as a day to celebrate the menandwomenwhohaveservedinourmilitary.Thebravemenandwomenwhoenlistin our armed services keep our nation safe and our constitution secure. The oath they make startsout“I,____,dosolemnlyswearoraffirmthatIwillsupportanddefendtheconstitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
Those who serve in our military, make great sacrifices to defend our country. The importance of their sacrifice should never be ignored, but should be acknowledged and appreciated. The sacrifice goes far beyond just the enlisted, it also affects all the family of those who chose to serve. The birthdays, Mother’s Days, Father’s Days, Christmases and even the birth of their children are all too often celebrated without them. The uniform they wore is one of honor and symbolizes the sacrifices made for our country. The gift they give with their lives and service, is a gift that no one can repay. On November 11 we honor and celebrate the brave men and women who served our country proudly. It is a reminder of the precious gift we have received and can never repay. I want you to know your service and sacrifice has not gone unnoticed, it is my honor to thank you for defending my beloved country. Our nation is grateful for the continued sacrifices of our military and their families. Thank you for your service! Your effort and love for our country has not gone unnoticed.
I heard a story of a rich man who made such a sacrifice. The wealthy man focused all his attention on his son after his wife died. He taught his son the love of art and they collected rareworksofart.TheircollectionincludedeverythingfromPicassotoRaphael.Theywould often sit together and admire these great works of art. When the Vietnam War broke out, the son was drafted. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was inconsolable with grief. One day the father heard a knock at the door. A young man stood there with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you do not know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and hewascarryingmetosafetywhenabulletstruckhimintheheart;hediedinstantly.Heoften talked about you and your love of art.” The young man handed the package to the father and said, “I know this is not much. I am not really a renowned artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.” The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son. Looking at his son’s eyes in the painting made his own eyes well up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him. “No sir, I could never repay whatyoursondidforme.Thisismygift.”Thefatherhungtheportraitoverhismantel.When visitors came to his home, he took them to see the prized portrait of his son before showing them any of the other great works he had collected. When the man died, his paintings were to be sold at an auction. Many influential people attended and were excited over the opportunity to purchase one for their collections. On the platform sat the painting of the son. Theauctioneerpoundedhisgavel.“Wewillstartthebiddingwiththispictureoftheson.Who will open a bid for this picture?” There was silence. A voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” Still, the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone start the bidding for this picture? $100?” Another angry voice shouted, “We did not come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandt’s. Get on withtherealbids!” Theauctioneercontinued,“Theson!Theson!Whowillbidontheson?” Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Since he was poor, that was all he could afford.“Ihave$10,whowillbid$20?” Thecrowdwasbecomingscoffed,theydidnotwant the picture of the son. “Give it to him for $10. We want to see the masters.” The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, going twice, sold for $10!” A man sitting on the second rowshouted,“Now,let’sgetonwiththerealcollection!”Theauctioneerlaiddownhisgavel. “I am sorry. The auction is over.” Everyone was confused. The auctioneer explained, “The will clearly states, only the man’s most treasured painting would be auctioned today, the paintingofhisson.Whoeverboughtthatpaintingwouldinherittheentireestate,includingthe paintings. The person who took the son gets everything!”
God definitely understands what the sacrifice of love and service really cost. God gave His Son, His only Son to die on the cross to save a lost and dying world. Romans5:8 “But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we sere yet sinners Christ died for us.” Much like the auctioneer, God is asking you today, “The Son, the Son, who will take the Son?” Whoever takes the son gets everything! “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world mightbesavedthroughhim.”( John3:16-17) WillyouchosetobelieveinHimandliveyour life serving Him? If you chose Him, you get everything!
Toallveteransandyourfamilies,Ihonorandthankyouforyoursacrificialgiftofservice and love. “The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Cathy Nesmith