I slept in this morning. Teachers everywhere are tired and ready for the end of the school year. In my school system, we have this week for our final push of instruction and reviews before the final exams, which are next week. At this point in the school year, teaching is like herding cats or moving lead balloons. So, the extra sleep this morning felt especially good.

            I would be remiss as an individual or a teacher to think that this glorious day of extra sleep came for free. This day off of work cost many men and women the highest price they could pay for our country. Their family and friends suffered deeply so we could live freely in this great country. They didn’t ask what race you are, what religion is sacred to you, or what life choices you have made. They gave their life in sacrifice and service to our great county.

            It seems sad when you think about how many people don’t appreciate what a great honor it is to live here. We seem to be such a divided country right now. People are pursuing their own interests instead of looking out for the interests of others. Crimes of hate, anger, rage, and gun violence fill the daily news. I don’t think the men and women who died for our country would appreciate this waste for their great sacrifice.

            I believe they laid their lives down so we could be free. They laid their lives down so we could have a democratic society where our voices could be heard in government. They believed in our right to vote for our leaders. They believed in the free enterprise system where competition could bring new and innovative products to market. I believe that they would want us to honor the flag for both the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem because they died honoring and protecting that flag.

            Somehow I think we have forgotten how to come together as a nation until a tragedy brings us back together. There was never more unity in my lifetime then just after 9/11. Sometimes we find regional unity, like I imagine they are experiencing in Hawaii since the volcano erupted. When a hurricane, tornado, or blizzard strikes, we all come together to check on each other and help one another out. After a school shooting, communities pull together in spite of our differences to help and comfort.

            We have the capacity and capability to come together as a nation of people from many different backgrounds because we are all Americans. The group that should be leading this cry for unity has suffered many of their own divisions. Christians who have been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus, the supreme sacrifice, have too many divisions of our own.

            We are divided over so many things that we believe are vitally important and forget to rally around the things that we all have in common. None of us are worthy of going to heaven. No one is good enough to get there on our own. We are ALL dependent on the grace of God. Some may say, “Look at all that Billy Graham accomplished for the Lord.” He was a great man who led many to the Lord, but he would have been the first to point out to you that his salvation was only by the grace of God.

            The Church should be the leader in demonstrating unity, and yet we have allowed differences to keep us from demonstrating the love of Jesus to the world. We get so caught up in how differently we think about issues that we forget that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Our love for each other should dominate any difference in opinion. We have allowed the divisions and differences the world sees to creep into our thinking as the church. We shouldn’t fight with each other, but for each other, to preserve our witness and our love for Christ.

            While we reflect and remember all those who died for our country, I want to encourage you to remember those who have died for our faith. It began with Jesus, who died for our salvation, followed by Stephen, the first martyr. There have been thousands who have died for our freedom as Americans and as Christians. I want to live my life in such a way that I honor the high price that was paid for me. I want to remember, I want to live my life differently, I want to be a light of hope and grace to all who meet me and know me.

Contact Doug at doug@dougcreamer.com