Remembrance Day Up Close And Personal
Monday November 9, 2015
But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation. (Psalm 102:12 NLT)
This is a week to remember. Around the world veterans who participated in many wars will be remembered with thanks for the sacrifices they made so we could live in peace and freedom.
A few years ago I had the privilege of visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. I learned about what happened there through history classes in school and have seen media coverage of the events in a variety of forms through the years. Pearl Harbor occupied a small portion of my mind for sure, but I’m not sure of how much the events touched my heart.
Some years after my father died my mother married a Pearl Harbor survivor. I heard his stories about the events and saw some of his pictures. I also heard about the annual gatherings of veterans from the ship my stepdad was on. When I visited Pearl Harbour and saw the various displays and media offerings I was “brought up close” to what it was really like to have been there on that day as my stepfather was. He was perched somewhere high on the ship mast looking through field glasses and giving alerts about the incoming planes. My connection to Pearl Harbour changed. Historical events were suddenly something much more personal to me because I had a loving relationship with someone who went through all that for me.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15 NIV) It is a recorded historical fact that Jesus Christ died on a cross in Jerusalem 2000 years ago. A personal God so loved individuals like you and me that He sent His son Jesus to endure suffering and death for our freedom. This event is “brought up close” for each of us as we enter into a loving relationship with this personal God, and recognize the great love that caused Him to intentionally suffer for us on that day. Jesus gave His life on the cross that each of us would have the opportunity to enter into a deep and abiding relationship with our Heavenly Father.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 NIV)
Perhaps this is the day that this historical fact may come alive in us.
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