Our observances of Memorial Day with cookouts, pool parties, and beach trips can be seen as a celebration of life for the men and women of our military forces who died while protecting our national security and our freedoms.
Since the civil war, the sacrifices of over a million men and women who gave up their lives to defend our country knew that the price of freedom is extraordinarily high and comes with a grave cost to our soldiers in multiple ways. If not death, then trauma, acute stress, depression, anxiety, relationship failures, addiction, and more.
The cost of freedom, the freedoms that we have cherished, and maybe even taken for granted, have been under attack. Likewise, we find ourselves in our own battles, with illness, grief and loss, divorce, estrangement from our kids, mental health issues, and the list goes on. Life brings adversity and we try to pick up the pieces through the brokenness of it all. It can feel completely overwhelming, even paralyzing, and we are tempted to surrender.
But some things are worth fighting for.
The men and women we remember on Memorial Day braved the enemy’s fire because they were fighting for a cause greater than themselves. For many, their faith compelled them to oppose evil and injustice and stand for what is right and true.
What are you tempted to give up on? I encourage you to stay in the fight.
Paul, an apostle for Jesus Christ, went through intense struggles of his own:
“…I was beaten with rods; I was stoned; I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness…” (II Cor 11:25-28).
How did he have the will to carry on through all this? He was motivated by his love for the people he ministered to and for the truth of the message he was carrying. Moreover, he denied that his adversity was anything less than an opportunity for the strength and power of God to work through him:
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Cor 12:9).
Paul stayed in the fight, risking his life to fight for what he was compelled towards. Our men and women of honor were compelled to serve on our behalf and risked their lives for our freedoms and security.
You have your own battle, your own fight. And it’s worth fighting for.
To carry out the legacy of our fallen heroes, as well as honor our active-duty men and women, we too can join them to stay in the fight; a fight that’s worth fighting for.
For our nation, let us protect our inalienable rights for life, liberty, and freedom.
For our individual lives, amidst the fractures and brokenness we experience, let us not lose hope, let us not give up, and let us fight a fight that is worth fighting for. We are in this world for a short time, but for a specific time, and there is work to do. Don’t give up. Those who put their hope and faith in Jesus Christ can attest to His strength that will provide you with the courage, tenacity, and fortitude to stay in the fight:
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
We honor our armed services; we honor ourselves; and we honor our allegiance to God. On this Memorial Day, make a commitment to yourself to fight for what’s worth fighting for, and rely on the strength of the power of God to help you do so.Yours Truly,
Dr. Pamela