Every November 11, we reflect on those who have served and are serving in our Canadian Armed Forces. We slow down to thank the over 97,000 currently serving and the 600,000 veterans around us. We remember the 110,000 Canadians who died in service to our nation. We are reminded of those who were physically wounded and that so many more carry scars inside that we cannot see.

    We set this day aside “lest we forget”. Together we remember their sacrifice for us. They gave up their freedom, homes, families, safety, futures…for us. We remember the opportunities gifted to us because of their efforts. We remember the cost of our freedom and ask ourselves if we are using this freedom wisely or selfishly. We remember so that we live with gratitude for what we have, with respect for those who sacrificed for it, and with a heart of sacrifice for others around us day to day.

   This is not the only sacrifice that we need to pause and remember lest we forget. The Bible says:     “…at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrated His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:6-8 NIV)

We were powerless to change our guilt before God for our rebellion against Him. We were still living in open, defiant rebellion when God sent His Son to die for us. That is love! God sent his Son, His Lamb to pay for our rebellion, so that we could go free. Amazing!

    How quickly we forget, how easily we move on and live as though our lives are our own. We need to pause and reflect, to remember the sacrifice of Christ, the opportunity that is ours now for forgiveness and eternal life, and the cost of this freedom from the sentence hanging over us. 2 Corinthians 5:15 tells us “…He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”

    Our lives need to be lived considering the sacrifices made for us. Both our freedom and our forgiveness come at great price. Neither should be taken lightly.

There is a difference in how this freedom and this forgiveness are experienced. We benefit from and live in the freedoms we have simply because of where we are and who we are as Canadians. The sacrifices made for us are here for us to enjoy and use wisely, or to ignore and misuse. It is here for all of us. The forgiveness offered to us through Christ, however, is something that we must embrace personally. Each one of us must come to God the only way we can, through His Son. We come to God to find forgiveness and life, mercy and grace as we turn our backs on doing things our own way and follow Him as the Lord that He is.

    This week, we are reminded that war is not a movie or a game. It is not something for our entertainment, it was fought for our freedom. As we see the images and reports continuing to come out of Ukraine, we see again that war is destructive and deadly. It causes great suffering and must be treated seriously.

    Let’s also remember that sin is serious. It continues to take a toll on hearts, bodies, lives, and relationships. It needs to be taken seriously and dealt with the only way it can be. Have you embraced the mercy and grace available to you because of the sacrifice of Christ?

    This week, we remember. We will wear poppies, attend a service, take a moment of silence, thank a veteran, and tell stories of family members who served and sacrificed. This is good and necessary. Let’s reflect on freedom’s purpose and cost. And as we look again at the rows of white crosses, let’s consider again the cross of Christ and God’s sacrifice for us. Lest we forget…