Badges of battle.
At this time of year we celebrate Veteran’s Day. A day when we stop and say thank you to the men and women of this country who serve and protect this great nation. Some come home with a host of ribbons and medals on their uniforms, and the scars of wounds they received at the enemy’s hands. But not all the scars are visible to the naked eye. Some are wounds of the heart over broken relationships, some are wounds of the mind, because of atrocities seen or suffered. Each and every person have stories about their time of service. Some stories will be funny, some stories of battle will be horrific, and some can never be mentioned. If asked if they would do it over again, some would say and emphatic yes. Others would say if they really need me, and some would give a resounding no. Our Country enjoys the freedoms we have today because of these brave men and women. THANK YOU!
There is another person who went to battle against evil on our behalf. He, Jesus Christ freely, much like the men and women we mentioned before, gave his life for the freedom from the slavery of eternal damnation. The scars he received, (39 lashes with a cat-of-nine tails, the nails in his hands and feet, and the piercing of his side), he would gladly do all over again. His love for us is so strong, nothing could keep him from giving his life to save us. He could have called 10,000 angels to stop all the proceedings, and just escort him back to heaven, leaving us to the fate we deserved, but he didn’t and wouldn’t. But he will never force his love on us. It is a gift he offers freely and willingly, for us to take. To accept it means we will gain the freedom he so willingly paid the price for. You see, no freedom is free, someone always has to pay a price. But the gift of that freedom is free, for you to take or leave. Salvation or damnation, the choice is yours. Your decision to respect and accept the sacrifices made for you will not lessen or depreciate the price paid, for the freedoms offered to you, by our soldiers or our Saviour. But the rewards will be everlasting if you make the right decision.
As parents we need to teach our children that freedom is not free. And just what that freedom means in this country and for eternity. Don’t ever let it be said, that your children never knew because no one told them!
We as writers can fight for freedom or for the rights that those freedoms entitle. Easily skipping over the sacrifices made to ensure them. There is no glory in demanding something you are not willing to work, fight or die for. Let’s keep things in perspective.
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”
Luke 23:33
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
“And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.”
Mark 15:15
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Matthew 27:26
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:24-29