In February of this past year, I had an experience that will stay with me forever. I went to see my nephew, Andrew, be sworn into the United States Air Force. My mind journeys back to this moment that I wish every American could especially share. There is service to others but then there is a type of heroic service that asks us to go beyond what most are willing to do. John 15:13 reads that “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay his life down for his friends.” The Message Bible translation says it this way, “This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.” This chapter tells us to love one another the way God has loved us and even calls this a root command. Obviously, we see the example of Jesus who was willing - and did - lay his life down for us and by doing so, gave us eternal life. We expect that of a Savior - ¬let’s be honest. We appreciate it, value it, and worship Him for doing it but are not really surprised that a perfect being could love this way. It is a thought that we, as Christians, take for granted as we go about our daily routines. Do we really take time to consider the ultimate price that He paid for our sins and thus, our souls? I have to admit that this wasn’t something that I did enough of but the aforementioned experience changed all that. I also have to admit, while thankful for our military, I certainly didn’t spend enough time in prayer for them.
I was raised to be patriotic as my father was a Korean War veteran and my Grandpa was a World War ll veteran. I have vivid memories of them in the American Legion and marching in our town parades. I will never forget my Grandpa, who was an immigrant from Yugoslavia, and came to America to pursue the dream of freedom when he was barely twenty years old. He loved his country, like no one I had ever seen, because he knew what it was like to live under oppression and what freedom felt like in comparison. One year, we bought him a flag for his birthday and when he opened it, he began to weep. I really didn’t understand it, as a little girl, but I never forgot it. That flag was the symbol of freedom and worth fighting for. He laid down his life in his home country and came to a land filled with opportunity. He fought through fear, doubt, sadness, poverty, bigotry, loneliness, and isolation but his dream was worth the sacrifices. Now more than 80 years later, his great-grandson does the same thing.
My nephew, Andrew, is twenty-three years old, and a uniquely gifted individual with wisdom, intelligence, maturity, and leadership skills far beyond his young years. He has plans to enter the noble profession of teaching and school administration but first felt directed to serve in the military. It was a surreal experience when he left for basic training. It was a rainy day, and I was running through the parking lot so I wouldn’t miss the swearing in. I met up with my sister, Jennifer and other family as we were ushered into a small room. This is where I lost my breath! There were nearly thirty young men and women standing at attention. Jenny and I were observing how many of them were still wearing high school letter jackets - they were just babies! I realized this was really happening as they began to recite this powerful oath. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Andrew. Then, I saw my little sister standing right behind him…just as she always has. This was a moment I tell you! Here was this young man but all I could see was this little boy. I was there the day he was born, watched him grow up, and had been a part of all the significant moments of his life. Now he was promising to protect and defend his country with his life. He was doing it; he was laying down his life, his comfortable life, and trading it for the unknown. What kind of depth must a person have to do such a thing? What kind of heroism and service is this? This is the very definition of the love that the Apostle John was talking about. He knew it well. He left his home, his family, and everything he knew to follow Jesus. He laid down his present life for one that was costly while he fought for freedom under the banner of his God. These heroes march with that “greater kind of love”. Yes, it comes with a price but the reward is priceless. It is a reward that is beyond, what we can imagine, when a person follows that root command.
As I left that day, I looked around at those in uniform, and I was so proud and so emotional. I also left knowing that the truest war-hero, who fought the battle of the ages, was looking down on these fellow warriors and saying “Well done thou good and faithful servants.”
* Please say a prayer for our service men and women and for their protection as they serve our beloved country and for their families that serve in a sacrificial way, as well.
