315 – Thank You For Your Service

#faithbites #faithjourney Service Veterans

Today is Veterans Day in the United States. A day to celebrate those who serve and have served in our armed forces. This is a time to thank those who have sacrificed their time, their energy, and in some cases their lives, to protect our God-Given freedoms. While I have never served and cannot understand everything that goes into it, I can show my respect and thanks to them. Through their choice, I am able to celebrate my freedoms and was able to go about my life to make other choices than to serve.

My paternal grandfather did choose to serve. He was in the Army in WWII and part of the group that stormed the beaches of Normandy. Though I wasn’t old enough to talk to him about this as he died when I was very young, I remember looking at his medals and being proud of him.

My hope and prayer is that our veterans are safe, are rewarded, and have the full armor of God to protect them.

Scripture

• Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.- John 15:13
• Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9
• Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:11

Reflection

Thinking about the verses above, they break into two main sections. One is for the veteran and soldier themself and the other is for us who are blessed by their service. I don’t know of any soldier who goes into service to die. They don’t want to do this but they are willing to lay down their life if needed to protect us. Just as Christ laid down his life for the entire world, our soldiers are willing but hopefully, they don’t have to.

The second part is for our soldiers. May you always be strong and courageous, not frightened or dismayed. Even in the darkest night, God is with you to help, protect, and comfort. Through prayer and worship, the whole armor of God is given to you. May you wear it to protect you through all of your battles

The last thing I want to bring up is supporting our veterans and active duty doesn’t mean you have to agree with politics around why they are being deployed. These are two very separate things. We can disagree with the why of the orders and still wholeheartedly support our armed forces.

Charge

As you go through your day today, think about your God-given freedoms. Think about how you can exercise those freedoms as well as those who have helped to protect that right. Give a prayer for our veterans. Thank a veteran. Do a kind deed for them and appreciate their service.

Lord, please be with all of our veterans and active duty military. Give them the strength of your full armor, your blessings, and your protection. Help them in their coming and goings as they protect all of our freedoms especially the freedom to worship as we chose.