I enjoyed an interesting conversation this week with a member of our congregation. I listened as he talked about his time serving with the United States Air Force. He told me how he was part of a crew flying supplies to Korea. We talked of his past friends who never made it home and the sadness he felt when he found their names on the Veterans Memorial Wall. For him, Veterans Day is an important time to remember those who served and the price paid for the freedoms he has today.Paul writes, “I thank my God every time I remember you.In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” Philippians 1:3-4. These verses are very easy to understand, they need only to be imitated. They remind us that, like Paul, we should take time to pray and in our prayers we should remember others. We should thank God for the brave men and women who have served this nation with honor, dignity and great sacrifice. We should take time to show them our gratitude.As I listened to my friend talk, he reminded me that the freedom we have came at a great price, many people had to lay down their lives. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This is a type of love that should be celebrated. A love that is not selfish but selfless, looking only for the good of others; the same love that drove Christ to the cross in order to save us from the bondage of sin.We will always be indebted to those who made such a great sacrifice on our behalf. There is so little we can do to repay. But this Veterans Day, take time out to pray, thank God for those men and women and their service. Remember their sacrifice and tell them you are grateful for their service.• Micheal Hurlbert is pastor of Carson City’s First Christian Church.
