Our nation takes time to honour our Veterans each year on November 11. On that day each year, we have the opportunity to attend special ceremonies in person or watch them on television. These honor not only those who died defending our freedoms, but also those who survived some very terrible times.
Earlier in the year we celebrated Thanksgiving – a time when we should have rehearsed what we are deeply thankful. This month highlights one of the most important things we can and should be thankful for – freedom. We have freedom of religion. We have freedom of expression. We have had so many wonderful freedoms and related benefits – to a great extent because of our Veterans who helped to guarantee these values.
The Bible also dedicates a whole chapter to special Christian veterans. We find it in Hebrews 11. Just as the nation rehearses the heroic acts of those who fought for the freedoms we cherish today, this chapter in the Bible rehearses the acts of those who forged our Christian way of life.
The somber note in celebrating November 11 is that we acknowledge that mankind has never learned how to end war. We know it is inevitable that the nation will again be pulled in to conflict and many more young people will lose their lives in a bid to keep others safe. Recent attacks on our military right here in our own country brings home the point even more.
We can look forward to a time when the Great Creator God will intervene in the affairs of mankind and put a stop to all further conflict. Now would be a good time to read the booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom [1]. [2]
Anthony Wasilkoff
Links:
[1] http://www.ucg.ca/booklets/gospel-of-the-kingdom/.
[2] http://www.ucg.ca/booklets/gospel-of-the-kingdom/