ANZAC day got me thinking: “Imagine if we did this everyday?”
What would it be like if we continually remembered honoured and gave homage to those who had sacrificed so we could live?
What if we were genuinely thankful every moment, for:
– the food we have (even if cold or dry or tasteless)
– the shelter we have (even if cramped or dull or damp)
– the marriage we have (even though it is ridiculously hard at times)
– the family we have (even if weird or rude or uncaring)
– the friends we have (even if they hurt or betrayed or stuffed up)
– the body / health we have (even if it is unhealthy in pain or ageing)
– the job we have (even if it is difficult, dirty or demoralising)
– the church you attend (even if you see problems with people)
– the transport we have (even if not fast, comfortable or reliable)
– the government we have (even if we see many the problems)
– the country we have even (if others are squandering or destroying it)
– the life we have (even if it is turning out different to how you expect)
The fact is, you have *a lot* to be grateful for…each line above should direct your thanks to particular people. Your parents, your spouse, your children, your family, your boss, your pastor, your candidates – at times it is people you don’t know.
Like the Anzacs.
Enduring hardship, pain, suffering, grief and the horror of war – to give YOU the opportunity to live without fear of invasion, torture or death. Many gave up their lives, many families gave up this husbands / dads / brothers.
Without their sacrifice, your life would be far worse than you could imagine – if it existed at all.
And without the sacrifice of another ‘unknown man’, not only would we have lost the war, none of us would have (true) life at all.
The man who divided time, was for a time divided from His Father.
Rejected, Tortured, Mocked, Humiliated, Killed.
He did it selflessly for you and me.
No wonder the Bible says: Give Thanks to God!
We have much to remember, much to ponder, much to use, much to give thanks for…
Develop an attitude of gratitude: today, Anzac Day, and always.
Lord, help us to see the good in the ‘bad’, the joy in the mourning, the effort in the let downs, the gift of takers, the warmth of the cold. Give us Your perspective – and the strength to do for others what others have done for us.