Healthy Veteran Highlights • June 2023

I have prayerfully considered what to share with you on yet another Independence Day.  I fear that for many of us, Independence Day often feels like another “Groundhog Day” – more hotdogs, more fireworks, perhaps more beer or cigars.  On the more constructive side, Independence Day often represents more family, more patriotism, more national pride, and more reflection on the origins and meaning of this special day.  As with any birthday, it is an opportunity for the honored one and others to celebrate, to affirm, to reflect, to recommit.  So it is today, with our beloved America as the center of attention – “the honored one.”

Romans 13:7 says in part “Pay to all what is due them; … respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor…”

Hence, let us simply render “Honor to Whom Honor is Due” on this 247^th Birthday of the United States of America.

Remembering that “Freedom is Not Free,” we honor the Veterans who have purchased our Freedom “over there” with their very lives and service, the forbears of the military who guard our liberties today.  Have you ever asked, “Where would we be without our Veterans?”  What if on 6 June 1944 (Normandy) the brave soldiers crossing the beach had said “It’s too wet, too windy – let’s go tomorrow.” Or what if the Patriots at Valley Forge defending new American liberties to speak, worship, assemble without being subjected to the point of a bayonet had thought it inconvenient to walk on unshorn, bloody feet in miles of snow and ice? Gratefully we do not have to ask “what if.” Our Veterans have always been there – character, competence, commitment to the very sacrifice of their lives. Yes, no greater love hath a man than he give his life for a friend – that’s our Veterans.  By extension I add other uniformed public servants to the honor roll of those who have insured our domestic and international freedoms, along with their devoted families who often suffer in silence.  Today we honor them all.  God Bless Them!

In A Broader Sense, there are other “Veterans” to honor who have secured our “Independence” as a Nation:  Our Founding Fathers and godly leaders in every walk of life. Folks like school teachers, entrepreneurs, health care providers, coaches, pastors and faithful church workers, and even parents of teenagers!  Selfless Servants, great Americans in every walk of life who have fought the good fight to ensure today’s freedoms — we also honor you on America’s birthday.

Where would we be without these great Americans?  Gratefully we don’t have to ask!

We ARE the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave because of those who have walked a dangerous path on behalf of our current freedoms.  This is a profound truth – may each of us pause to reflect and be grateful. May we guide younger generations to do the same.

On this significant day, we also render honor to the God who breathed life into the heart and soul of America. He is the true Founding Father of these United States.  Without a personal relationship with our God through His Son Jesus, we remain in captivity eternally.  Hence, on this Independence Day, may we rightly rejoice in the liberty, the freedoms, which Christ purchased for us on the Cross.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm
and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1, NASB

Just as freedom is not free in a physical sense, spiritual freedom likewise has the cost of “standing firm,” fighting the good fight of faith, and leaning into Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  He is our Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer; the Strong Tower to whom we can run. May each of us be Guardians of the spiritual freedoms which Jesus purchased for us. Greater love has no man. Honor to whom honor is due.

Where would we be without Jesus?  Gratefully we don’t have to ask!