It could have been me; It would have been me; or it SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME . . . so why wasn’t it me?
Why did the vehicle ahead of me in the convoy get hit with an IED and not mine? If I had never switched duty days, I’d be dead instead of him. He took my spot. I was supposed to take those next set of orders, but I never did.
Those words and phrases are common amongst many military veterans, especially around Veteran’s Day and, more importantly, on Memorial Day, which we celebrated just a few weeks ago. As a veteran with over 24 years of active-duty service in the United States Navy, my perspective can be unique; however, my heart and the hearts of many other Americans want to recognize and honor the freedom we all share - the freedom that was paid for by those who gave it all.
Today is Independence Day, a day we remember freedom. If we're not careful, all too often, our patriotic holidays can quickly become overshadowed by family barbecues, parades, fireworks, and other festivities. So, how can we take time to truly honor freedom?
Thank the military and distinguish among the different days in their honor.
One way to recognize our freedom in this country is to honor and thank those who are serving, have served, and will never serve again in our military. But it's more than simply thanking them; it's also having the knowledge and awareness to distinguish among the different days in their honor. Recognize and honor the difference between Armed Forces Day, Veteran's Day, and Memorial Day:
- Armed Forces Day, observed on the third Saturday in May, is to honor those military members who are currently serving - those who are wearing the cloth right now.
- Veteran's Day, observed on November 11, is to honor those who have served in the military and are now retired.
- Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, is the first step in honoring those service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice - dying in the line of duty for their country.
Each of these days is special in its own way and is intended for a specific group of people in the Armed Forces. Understanding the differences is crucial when honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I'll explain why.
Give honor where honor is due because freedom isn't free.
Nothing gets me fired up more than when well-intentioned American citizens add to Memorial Day or confuse it with Veteran's Day.
For example, a church I attended in the past started off with a great Memorial Day message prior to the preaching. However, as the preacher concluded his short and meaningful sermon, he then asked all veterans, first responders, and emergency personnel to stand up. My jaw dropped. Not only did he include veterans in this recognition, but he really trampled on the graves of those who died by asking first responders and emergency personnel to stand up, too.
This past Memorial Day, I also attended a public celebration where the mayor of the city spoke. Right in the middle of the celebration, the mayor asked all Vietnam veterans to go forward and stand. With all due respect, that was a huge disservice to the true meaning of Memorial Day and to the Gold-Star Families (i.e., families who've lost a loved one in service to our nation) in attendance.
Freedom ain't free. You often see and hear this phrase, but what does it actually mean? It means that someone no longer has what you have . . . freedom.
Someone no longer has the freedom to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Someone no longer has the ability to become anything they want to be - from a farmer to the President of the United States and everything in between. It means that you have choices in your life - choices to travel, marry, have a large family, or sit on the couch and collect unemployment. But those freedoms were not free. Many died in the line of duty to give you those inherited and unearned freedoms. Whether fighting the British or the terrorists of 9/11, someone has and always will be ensuring your freedoms.
All those we honor on Memorial Day have left someone behind. A father or mother, a sibling or spouse, maybe even children. Families who have lost an immediate family member in military service are recognized and honored as Gold-Star Families. Nothing can erase the agony those families face when one of their own gives it all - pays it all - with their very life. On Memorial Day, we honor these Gold-Star Families who will forever be owed a debt that cannot be paid by our country.
Take time to celebrate but remember to adopt a mindset of respect.
Remember to celebrate. I’ve seen many memes, posts on social media, and the like that encourage but also shame people regarding Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. For example, some quotes boldly remind readers that these holidays are not "just another day off." Others accusingly say, "Remember why you celebrate.” Posts like these are designed to get readers' attention.
While I agree that everyone should become more educated regarding what they celebrate, why they have a day off work, and why they're irritated because the bank is closed, no one should be shamed. Even somber holidays like Memorial Day must be a time to celebrate.
Cherish your freedoms. Honor the sacrifices made. Remember who gave it all and who was left behind.
Take time to celebrate in whatever way you deem appropriate for you and your loved ones. But as you celebrate, remember to adopt a mindset and posture of respect for those who gave it all. Flying your flag at half mast on Memorial Day, Patriot Day (September 11), Pearl Harbor Day (December 7), and other federal and state-recognized days when government officials signify a day to honor the death of military personnel, is a great way to honor your freedom. Wearing red, white, and blue on patriotic days, such as July 4 and Memorial Day, is another way to show honor and respect for those who gave their lives. As Americans, these patriotic days can and should be some of the most celebrated days of the year. Hang banners on your house, purchase flags to place in your yard, and blast your patriotic music of choice!
Honor the One who gave it all once and for all.
It’s amazing to think about how honoring those who died in service of our country for the freedoms we enjoy today is very similar to recognizing our relationship with Jesus Christ. Think about the freedom we have because of Christ and the freedom we have in Christ. I mean, take the first paragraph of this blog post.
It should have been me on that cross. It's supposed to be me on that cross. But instead of putting me on that cross, God chose me. He saved me.
My freedom has been paid for by someone else - by Jesus Christ - and that freedom is something I can never or will never achieve on my own.
Honor Christ by remembering his great sacrifice.
We can recognize our freedom in Christ by choosing to honor and thank him for what he did. He paid it all - all our sin and shame - once and for all. We must remember Christ's everlasting effect on me, you, and all those who call him Lord and Savior.
Just as we respect our military by distinguishing between Armed Forces Day, Veteran's Day, and Memorial Day, we must also honor Jesus by knowing the difference in the meaning of his birth, death, and resurrection. While his birth and death were significant and amazing, his resurrection was crucial.
Without the resurrection, we would have nothing.
Just as we often confuse the meanings of our patriotic holidays, think about how we can also get jaded or slighted when remembering Jesus' sacrifice. I don’t necessarily get all fired up; however, it’s a point to consider. We know that, as believers, we are forgiven when we are justified by Jesus' blood. We then live a life of sanctification, becoming more and more like Jesus with every breath we take . . . but we often forget that we are forgiven. How many times have we “forgotten” when we re-ask and re-ask again for forgiveness and salvation when Jesus has already paid it in full, once and for all? His sacrifice has been made, and we are forgiven because of his death and resurrection. We can live and rest in that.
Honor Christ by remembering that freedom isn't free.
As we reflected above on the truth that freedom isn't free, we must think about that truth again with Jesus' sacrifice. A sacrifice, a perfect sacrifice, was required in lieu of me.
My salvation wasn’t free; Jesus paid for it, and because he paid it all, I am no longer a slave to my sin. I have been set free.
Jesus also said that the truth shall set you free. So, what does this mean? It means no more bondage, no atoning for my sin through the bloodshed of animals on an altar. I am free to be a child of God, and I can use this freedom to seek God’s will and plans for my life. I can seek freedom in the abundant life paid for by Jesus. And just like the freedom we experience in this country, I didn’t earn my freedom in Christ; I don’t deserve it, and it’s only because of Jesus I’m a citizen of God’s Kingdom. Better yet, I'm a child adopted into God’s family. If you're a follower of Christ, you've been adopted, too!
Celebrate freedom in Christ by adopting a renewed mindset and heart posture.
Ah yes, remember to celebrate! It can be very easy to carry a burden that isn’t meant for us. Shame, guilt, and sadness can overwhelm our hearts, minds, and souls. And although we remember the cost that was paid is important, we are to celebrate that we have this freedom in Jesus because of Jesus. For quite some time, I struggled with grace. I didn’t truly live under grace. I always beat myself up or had to put myself in the doghouse for my sin, mistakes, and blunders.
Recently, I truly experienced God’s grace and the forgiveness that exists when we CHOOSE to be free!
Celebration is the same thing. It can feel wrong or weird and just not right to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, but we do! I mean, before Easter, we celebrate Good Friday, and it’s called GOOD Friday for a reason!
Lastly, how about our posture and mindset about the freedom we have as believers? What should that look like? We don’t have a list of do’s and don’ts as believers that earn our freedom in Christ, but because we are free, we should respond with actions, words, and thoughts that honor our freedom. Reading our Bible and abiding in God’s Word. Prayer - asking and seeking God’s will - praying for others and having a thankful heart posture. And what about the language we use? No, I don’t mean English or Spanish. I mean the types of words we use and tolerate from others. The Bible also encourages us on how we should think and what we should dwell on.
The point is that there is a mindset and attitude we should have because we are free. It’s your choice; choose wisely.
Pause, evaluate, and challenge yourself!
Awareness is great, and it can shed light on a new subject and bring conviction and repentance. But I believe that without any action, without any intentional steps, awareness becomes just that . . . light conviction and repentance but no change. I want to challenge you to think about some questions:
1. What about adopting a new or refreshed mindset? Remember, you didn’t earn freedom in Christ or die in a war. It’s been done for you. There is no shame, guilt, or burden to carry because of that, but consider a new mindset.
2. On a scale of 1 to 10, where is your thankfulness meter? Where do you want it to be? Are your attitudes and heart aligned with those numbers? Once you’ve determined this, what can you do to be thankful?
3. Do you have accurate knowledge about Memorial Day, other patriotic holidays, and, even more importantly, Jesus' sacrifice? Do you understand that it was Jesus who paid it all? Do you know what his death and resurrection mean and represent?
4. How do you celebrate your freedoms? Do you walk through life with "another day, another dollar" mentality? What if, instead, you were full of life and energy because of what has been paid for you?
As we celebrate Independence Day today and reflect on the freedoms we have every day, may we never forget that freedom isn't free.
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