Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends....I have called you friends.
John 15:13, 15 NIV
Greetings from Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St Louis, Missouri.
Did you know that June 6, 2012, marked the 68th anniversary of D-Day? I had the honor of passing a portion of that day in a special place, the final earthly resting place to thousands of American heroes and heroines. And now today we celebrate both Flag Day in the USA and also the 237th birthday of the US Army. Praise God!
While visiting the St Louis area this past week, I walked through Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with several different girlfriends from our former hometown.. The setting is quiet, peaceful, and serene. Occasionally, a car will pass on the way to visit the marker of a beloved buried here. Deer gallop gracefully through the grave sites, unaware of the sacrifices and valiant deeds carried out by the persons named on either side of the homogenous, solid white stones. We even encountered a lone fawn curled up next to a headstone of a World War II veteran, as if keeping watch and company of the souls commemorated in this hallowed ground.
Standing under a tree near the Civil War section of the cemetery, gazing out across the waves of white, cascading over the sloping and rolling terrain, I felt a chill under my skin. I stood in awe and utter amazement at the sheer number of lives laid down for the freedom and prosperity of our nation. I knew not everyone named on a headstone died during active service of this country, but I also had firsthand knowledge of the price otherwise paid by soldier, spouse, and children alike. I related in a special way to the day-to-day laying down of life, freedom, and choice in order to pursue a sense of duty. I felt honored to be among their numbers under the leadership of my husband as a soldier and patriot.
In the devotional My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes, "Jesus does not ask me to die for Him, but to lay down my life for Him. Peter said--'I will lay down my life for Thy sake' and he meant it; his sense of heroic was magnificent. It would be a bad thing to be incapable of making such a declaration as Peter made; the sense of our duty is only realized by our sense of the heroic." (p.122, copyright 1963) Wow! I ask myself, can I stand in a place such as Jefferson Barracks, or any cemetery in America, and not feel the urge to make such a declaration? Can I gaze upon a flag flying today and not acknowledge and appreciate the heroism of my fellow Americans and desire to honor them by my own actions and sacrificial giving? Am I capable? Am I willing?
Oswald Chambers continues, " Has the Lord ever asked you--'Will you lay down your life for My sake?' It is far easier to die than to lay down life day in and day out with the sense of high calling. We are not made for brilliant moments, but we have to walk in the light of them in ordinary ways." (p. 122) Girlfriends, can I say "wow" again? Day in...day out...laying down our own passions, pleasures, desires, and wishes for the greater good and glory, in honor of the one brilliant moment in all of history, the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our God, upon the Cross--a moment imitated by so many men and women in the over two thousand years since that day. Day in...day out...relinquishing our rights and our freedoms for the eternal glory of God, for the salvation of His children, and for the freedom to worship and glorify Him--or not. Praying for the "or nots."
Finally, Chambers states, "For thirty three years Jesus laid out His life to do the will of His Father, and, John says, 'we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.' It is contrary to human nature to do so." (p. 122) Yes, ladies, it is contrary to our nature to deny ourselves, but as mothers and wives, we understand the nature of sacrifice. I pray you will conquer your will and steady yourselves upon the path to righteousness that is paved with your willingness to forego your own comfort and pleasure for that of others as a result of your love of Christ.
"If I am a friend of Jesus, I have deliberately and carefully to lay down my life for Him. It is difficult, and thank God it is difficult. Salvation is easy because it cost God so much, but the manifestation of it in my life is difficult. God saves a man and endues him with the Holy Spirit, and then says in effect--'Now work it out, be loyal to me, whilst the nature of things around you would make you disloyal.' 'I have called you friends.' Stand loyal to your Friend, and remember that His honor is at stake in your bodily life." (p. 122)
Girlfriends, I could not sum up my emotions and thoughts on this patriotic day any better. I pray in whatever capacity you serve on this earth, that you will be loyal, act honorably, follow the Holy Spirit, acknowledge the sacrifices before you, from God and from your fellow man, and most of all, lay down your life...day in, day out...for your God. I thank you, and I am grateful to the service members, and their families, who rose to the challenge throughout history.
Be blessed today!
In the devotional My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes, "Jesus does not ask me to die for Him, but to lay down my life for Him. Peter said--'I will lay down my life for Thy sake' and he meant it; his sense of heroic was magnificent. It would be a bad thing to be incapable of making such a declaration as Peter made; the sense of our duty is only realized by our sense of the heroic." (p.122, copyright 1963) Wow! I ask myself, can I stand in a place such as Jefferson Barracks, or any cemetery in America, and not feel the urge to make such a declaration? Can I gaze upon a flag flying today and not acknowledge and appreciate the heroism of my fellow Americans and desire to honor them by my own actions and sacrificial giving? Am I capable? Am I willing?
Oswald Chambers continues, " Has the Lord ever asked you--'Will you lay down your life for My sake?' It is far easier to die than to lay down life day in and day out with the sense of high calling. We are not made for brilliant moments, but we have to walk in the light of them in ordinary ways." (p. 122) Girlfriends, can I say "wow" again? Day in...day out...laying down our own passions, pleasures, desires, and wishes for the greater good and glory, in honor of the one brilliant moment in all of history, the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our God, upon the Cross--a moment imitated by so many men and women in the over two thousand years since that day. Day in...day out...relinquishing our rights and our freedoms for the eternal glory of God, for the salvation of His children, and for the freedom to worship and glorify Him--or not. Praying for the "or nots."
Finally, Chambers states, "For thirty three years Jesus laid out His life to do the will of His Father, and, John says, 'we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.' It is contrary to human nature to do so." (p. 122) Yes, ladies, it is contrary to our nature to deny ourselves, but as mothers and wives, we understand the nature of sacrifice. I pray you will conquer your will and steady yourselves upon the path to righteousness that is paved with your willingness to forego your own comfort and pleasure for that of others as a result of your love of Christ.
"If I am a friend of Jesus, I have deliberately and carefully to lay down my life for Him. It is difficult, and thank God it is difficult. Salvation is easy because it cost God so much, but the manifestation of it in my life is difficult. God saves a man and endues him with the Holy Spirit, and then says in effect--'Now work it out, be loyal to me, whilst the nature of things around you would make you disloyal.' 'I have called you friends.' Stand loyal to your Friend, and remember that His honor is at stake in your bodily life." (p. 122)
Girlfriends, I could not sum up my emotions and thoughts on this patriotic day any better. I pray in whatever capacity you serve on this earth, that you will be loyal, act honorably, follow the Holy Spirit, acknowledge the sacrifices before you, from God and from your fellow man, and most of all, lay down your life...day in, day out...for your God. I thank you, and I am grateful to the service members, and their families, who rose to the challenge throughout history.
Be blessed today!
