Memorial Day Thoughts
The Gospel of John 15 says this:
15:12 My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you 15:13 No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends.
This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Jesus commands us to simply love one another. Not so tough right, but he also alludes to the ability of the ultimate sacrifice that one can give in the name of love.
Last night I started watching the series Band of Brothers. It was not planned, just a funny coincidence that it coincided with the Memorial Day weekend. A few days ago I read a story of a puppy that was returned to the family of a 22-year-old soldier who recently lost his life in Iraq. It has been said that every generation has its war. After the Civil War, it was the Spanish American War. Soon to follow was WWI, WWII, Korea, & Vietnam. In the 80’s the Cold war reached its heights, but ended abruptly with the ending of the Soviet Regime. Over the past 15 years our conflict has been centered in the Middle East. My generation has traded in green army fatigues for sand colored ones.
I have said this numerous times, but just to clarify once again. I am a patriot. I love America. I am very proud of my Jamaican heritage, but this country is still the greatest one earth. In any loving relationship, you may love them to pieces, but just may not be happy with them all the time.
I take my freedom for granted quite often. In an hour or so I’ll be heading down the road to the beach to enjoy the holiday with some friends. This trip will only be impeded by stoplights and not security checkpoints. Something as simple as going to the beach without thoughts of personal safety is a freedom we all take for granted far to often.
In California one of my good friends & co-workers was a refugee from Bosnia. He was younger than I was by three years, but everyone thought he was in his 30’s. One day we got to talking about everything that happened. He was excited about telling his story, but after he showed me some of his scars I understood how some wounds will never heal. He was so thankful for the United States coming in at that time or he said he would probably not be here. This made me proud of our country to know that we have done some good after the dust had settled. I pray one day I will meet someone from Iraq and know we have had the same effect on that country.
Yesterday a couple of kids from my church are already signed up from the military. Seeing folks younger than me going off to fight in a war before they have really got a chance to live is something that does not sit well with me. I understand the situation, but also fear that sending our smartest individuals of to a country that did not ask to be liberated may not be the best of ideas. Despite my personal distain for our current war, I fully support any and every person who has ever donned a uniform in the name of protecting our freedoms.
So truly on this Memorial Day, I say thank you to all the soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice for my sake and the freedoms I enjoy all to well. Understanding the message of John 15 makes me appreciate the lives of all those who have been lost.
No greater love has ever been shown.
15:12 My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you 15:13 No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends.
This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Jesus commands us to simply love one another. Not so tough right, but he also alludes to the ability of the ultimate sacrifice that one can give in the name of love.
Last night I started watching the series Band of Brothers. It was not planned, just a funny coincidence that it coincided with the Memorial Day weekend. A few days ago I read a story of a puppy that was returned to the family of a 22-year-old soldier who recently lost his life in Iraq. It has been said that every generation has its war. After the Civil War, it was the Spanish American War. Soon to follow was WWI, WWII, Korea, & Vietnam. In the 80’s the Cold war reached its heights, but ended abruptly with the ending of the Soviet Regime. Over the past 15 years our conflict has been centered in the Middle East. My generation has traded in green army fatigues for sand colored ones.
I have said this numerous times, but just to clarify once again. I am a patriot. I love America. I am very proud of my Jamaican heritage, but this country is still the greatest one earth. In any loving relationship, you may love them to pieces, but just may not be happy with them all the time.
I take my freedom for granted quite often. In an hour or so I’ll be heading down the road to the beach to enjoy the holiday with some friends. This trip will only be impeded by stoplights and not security checkpoints. Something as simple as going to the beach without thoughts of personal safety is a freedom we all take for granted far to often.
In California one of my good friends & co-workers was a refugee from Bosnia. He was younger than I was by three years, but everyone thought he was in his 30’s. One day we got to talking about everything that happened. He was excited about telling his story, but after he showed me some of his scars I understood how some wounds will never heal. He was so thankful for the United States coming in at that time or he said he would probably not be here. This made me proud of our country to know that we have done some good after the dust had settled. I pray one day I will meet someone from Iraq and know we have had the same effect on that country.
Yesterday a couple of kids from my church are already signed up from the military. Seeing folks younger than me going off to fight in a war before they have really got a chance to live is something that does not sit well with me. I understand the situation, but also fear that sending our smartest individuals of to a country that did not ask to be liberated may not be the best of ideas. Despite my personal distain for our current war, I fully support any and every person who has ever donned a uniform in the name of protecting our freedoms.
So truly on this Memorial Day, I say thank you to all the soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice for my sake and the freedoms I enjoy all to well. Understanding the message of John 15 makes me appreciate the lives of all those who have been lost.
No greater love has ever been shown.
posted by O King at
8:14 AM
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