Freedom Isn’t Free
Today is Veteran’s Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada. It is a day to remember the sacrifice of veterans, both living and dead, to secure our freedom. Because of the willingness of our veterans to give their time and even their lives, we are free to worship God, to read our Bibles, to spend time with our families, to express our opinions in writing, and to love our neighbors in the way God calls us to.
I love the freedom my country affords to me. I hope I never lose it. But if I ever did, if I ever ended up living in a country where I wasn’t free to profess the Gospel, my soul would still be free. “Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:31-32. Today there are many countries in the world where the citizens do not enjoy the freedoms we have in the United States and Canada. Often citizens in those countries are imprisoned, tortured, and persecuted simply because they believe in Christ. And yet these persecuted Christians never lose sight of freedom they have in Christ.
I am reminded of the old American Negro Spiritual, sung by slaves who did not enjoy the freedoms of citizenship their “owners” enjoyed:
Free At Last
Free at last, free at last
I thank God I’m free at last
Free at last, free at last
I thank God I’m free at last
Way down yonder in the graveyard walk
I thank God I’m free at last
Me and my Jesus going to meet and talk
I thank God I’m free at last
On my knees when the light pass’d by
I thank God I’m free at last
Tho’t my soul would rise and fly
I thank God I’m free at last
Some of these mornings, bright and fair
I thank God I’m free at last
Goin’ meet King Jesus in the air
I thank God I’m free at last
Today, I remember the many veterans, living and dead, who have served our country to ensure my freedom to share the Gospel of Christ that sets free the souls of mankind. If you are a veteran, thank you for your sacrifice. The freedom you have ensured for our country was not free, and I hope we never forget that. Likewise, the freedom that Christ gives was not free. It cost His life on the cross. But freedom is well worth the price.
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Thanks, Linda.
The price of freedom is high, very high. I’m thankful for those who fought for our freedom and humbled and amazed that a King died to give me eternal life.
Blessings always,
ann
Ann, Your comment reminds me of a song we sing in church, and which is apparently by Newsboys. The lyrics are:
Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, to honor You
Peace, Linda
Love that song, Linda
We sing this sometimes when we share communion. Really, really beautiful and deep…
Blessings
ann
Thank you Linda! You always remember and find a way to honor those who so deserve it on these special days! God bless you! deb
Deb, I think it is because God always reminds me of those special days and gives me something to write that honors Him. Peace, Linda