|
After our day in Paris, we made our way to the region of Normandy. Outside of a little town called Bayeux, we stay in a 200+ year-old farm house that used to serve as the village school house for a time. Although it was initially not planned this way intentionally, we were actually in Normandy for the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6. For the remainder of the week, I want to share with you some reflections from my time in Normandy and some stories I learned about all that happened there 82 years ago.
The first word that comes to mind when I consider the D-Day landings of the allied forces is the word sacrifice. On D-Day, thousands of people sacrificed themselves so that millions in Europe could be free. Without the sacrifice of so many on D-Day, my family would not be able to live in Europe in peace as we do. In fact, my family probably wouldn't even exist! Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines sacrifice as "the act of giving up or losing something of value for the sake of something else." As a Christian, the word sacrifice obviously brings to my mind the greatest sacrifice: Someone of infinite value (Jesus) gave up Himself for the sake of us all.
How should we live in response to a sacrifice so great? I had the privilege of meeting a 100 year old D-Day veteran while there. While holding my little boy, a dual German and American citizen, I got to thank him for what he sacrificed to make our life possible. This man not only lost many of his friends and fellow soldiers, but he was taken as a prisoner of war, forced into slave labor, and sent on a death march before he was rescued. He was so happy to meet Ethan and asked questions about where we lived in Germany. He seemed joyful to hear of our lives there. I think it is good that we recognized what this man and so many others gave so that we could live in peace. My German husband also thanked him for bringing peace and liberty to his own country.
How does one live in response to a sacrifice?
- You are grateful.
- You seek to live a life worthy of the sacrifice.
The whole point of the Gospel is that we are completely unable to be good enough and that is why Christ made His sacrifice in the first place. We don't try to live a life worthy of Christ's sacrifice in order to earn it (that would negate the need for a sacrifice) but to honor the sacrifice of Christ by pursuing being like Him as an overflow of our gratitude.
Ephesians 5:1-2 is a great example. It says, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Because Christ loved us so much to die for us, we live for Him by showing love to others the best that we can.
How can you live worthy of Christ's sacrifice today?
My son and I meeting Ken Hay, 100-year-old D-Day veteran:
|
Apple
Spotify
Deezer
YouTube
