Memorial Day

        "Free will is the not the liberty to do whatever one likes, but the power of doing whatever one sees ought to be done, even in the very face of otherwise overwhelming impulses.  There lies freedom indeed." George MacDonald
        Thankful today for the extraordinarily courageous men and women who have defended our nation's freedom with their very lives.  We are the land of the free because we are the home of the brave.
        I cannot imagine what it must feel like to charge up hills in the face of enemy fire or storm beaches under withering attack or enter buildings not knowing what kind of horrors they contain.  How can they do it?
       Nelson Mandela says that "I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.  The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."   It's not a matter of feeling fearful or brave.  It's simply choosing to act in spite of that fear.
       I suppose even those bravest of heroes experience fear of failure and fear of death just like the rest of us....but rather than give in to that fear, they take action despite their feelings.  And that is true freedom--the freedom that George MacDonald spoke of as "the power of doing whatever one sees ought to be done, even in the face of otherwise overwhelming impulses."
       In that is a lesson for all of us.  While many of us may never face such terrifying life or death combat situations (though the way this world is going, we very well might), we can all choose whether to give in to our feelings of fear or to act upon what we know to be right, true, and good, no matter how difficult. frightening, or overwhelming.
       As believers, we have the awesome, unfathomable power of Almighty God residing within us.  Wow--how often we discount the magnitude and mystery of this--but it is THE game-changer! He is the One who will enable and empower us to do whatever He's called us to do, no matter the obstacles facing us or the emotions assailing us.
        "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." (2 Cor.4:7)
       "'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." (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
       In our weakness, He is strong.  Oh how I praise Him and thank Him!  It's not us, but Him.  It's not our ability, but His.  It's not our courage, but His.  It's not our power, but His.  And it's not our glory, but His and His alone.
       So on this Memorial Day, thank You Lord for the priceless gift of those who serve our nation and secure our freedom.  Thank You for their example of courage, selflessness, and nobility.  Thank You, thank You for those who have paid the ultimate price in giving their lives.  Finally, thank You most of all for the greatest Hero of Heroes, the Lord Jesus, who rescued us from the dominion of sin and death and gave us the ultimate freedom of salvation and eternal life.
       Oh Father, keep us grateful and help us to walk worthy.
       To God be the glory.