Over the last few months, we have been learning about different periods of history, specifically about war between different nations.
One of the things that has been amazing to me, is just how many wars there have been throughout history. So many, that times without war really stand out – periods of peace are actually *very* rare. So much death, so much horror it just beggars belief.
But here, in the West, living in this time, it is easy to naively start to take our freedoms for granted. I know I did…
As a raging alcoholic all I cared about was the next party and feeling good. What a waste of the freedom that had cost some people so much!
I don’t recall ever being thankful to anyone who had sacrificed for me. Not even my mum or step dad, let alone the thousands of people who went off to war that I had never met.
Forced to live in terrible conditions, work themselves to the bone, get injured, watch their friends be injured or die and even be willing to kill…
I was ignorant of the fact that our country (indeed the West in general), was so *very* close to being defeated at war, which would have left us all as actual slaves or simply dead.
Scores injured, many dead, nearly all of them physically and mentally scarred for life. Why such waste, why such cost?
For 95% it is basic greed, the desire for more money, more control… the inner human evil that affects us all. Selfish to our core, but strangely easier to see in other people.
But here it lurks, ever driving us forward, using our freedoms to get ahead, no matter the cost or casualty.
For most of us, the casualties are ‘only’ those closest to us: they miss out on our time or emotional involvement as we choose to earn more, do more, achieve more. We sacrifice *their* time, using our energy and skills for things that amount to little.
Surely the same intent as those who once threatened our shores is not at work within us?!
And not ‘just’ individually, but as a nation, as a culture, we all have our hand out: ‘what can I get, what am I owed’.
Chasing success, living in excess and for the most part, blind to how we have been blessed.
Would we be willing to give up all that we have for the sake of others? What about here, now, today? This week? This year? Are we willing to live for others – or are we going to remain ‘like them’?
There is One who fully modelled true selflessness: He gave up everything for those who would ignore His great sacrifice. But it wasn’t until I understood His great gift that I could recognise let alone follow His great example.
Hated, rejected, tortured, stripped naked and killed, He went through it willingly. For us. Then He rose from the dead Now, He rules from Heaven, still motivating many to selfless acts and sacrifice. He’s coming back to judge us all, may we follow His selfless example.
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 (NLT)
Thank You Lord for your amazing sacrifice. And thank You for all those unknown people before us who have sacrificed so that we can have life, safety, shelter and knowledge. May we not squander the opportunity we have on this planet.
Blessed we have continually been,
by many that remain unseen…
Thousands who died in the field,
And the One who chose to bleed
Help us Lord, realise our need.