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This weekend we celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer, Memorial Day. Will we take time and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom? Will we stop and reflect that our life has been given to us because someone gave their life for us? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Freedom Isn’t Free, by Kelly Strong, is a poem written to recall the memories of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the giving of their lives. Their willingness to give secures to this day our freedom. Freedom to do whatever we enjoy doing. For us that means racing.
I watched the flag pass by one day
It fluttered in the breeze
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He’d stand out in any crowd
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers’ tears?
How many Pilots’ planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves?
No, Freedom isn’t free…
I was thinking the other day what would this country look like if we weren’t free? Would there even be racing, as we know it? On any given weekend we can choose where we go to watch a race. You can choose where to race. If you don’t like going to a certain track you can choose another. We have the freedom to choose. That is not something to take lightly.
Stop and think of all the choices we can make in our life and then think of some of the other nations in the world who don’t have the same option. The difference is freedom. The founders of our country decided to organize it on the foundation of God’s moral standard and freedom to choose. We have fought for over 200 years to maintain that, not only for us but also for other nations and peoples of the world.
God also gives us the freedom to personally choose. He makes available for us a life of abundance and freedom. We can choose if we are going to accept that life. Jesus said…
John 10:10; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Paul adds in Galatians…
Galatians 5:1; It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Jesus came and gave His life as a sacrifice so that we could know the abundant and free life that God has offered us. Not unlike those who have fought for our country’s freedom so that we can enjoy an abundant and free life. For us to experience freedom it cost someone something.
Think of a race team. Some are funded well and some are run on a shoestring. It doesn’t matter; to be able to race someone pays. Someone’s hard work earns the money we receive to pay the cost of preparing our car and team to race. We experience the freedom to race because someone else paid the price. The situation is the same whether it is our hard work or someone else’s hard work, to race someone pays. Freedom to race isn’t free either.
For us to have freedom as a country many men and women paid with their lives. They made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others. They gave their lives.
In a similar way Christ sacrificed his life for us. Jesus gave His life so that we might have life.
John 3:16-17; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
The men and women who gave their lives secured our freedom as a nation. Jesus Christ gave His life for us to save us from death and destruction. Let me ask a question, do you enjoy your freedom as an American? If you do take the time to say thank you to those who have made it possible.
Let me ask another, do you want to experience an abundant and free life that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior? He gave His life to give you that opportunity, accept it and free yourself from the burden of sin.
Freedom isn’t free. It cost someone, something. Be thankful there are those who are willing to pay the price for our freedom. Thank them.
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
