Run to Remember

"Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." Romans 13:7 ESV

Like thousands of other runners across the nation, I will begin this Memorial Day by participating in a wear blue event organized to honor and remember the men and women who have boldly raised their right hand to defend our freedoms and safety. And on this morning run, I will specifically remember and honor one young man I’ve never had the privilege of meeting...  United States 1st Lieutenant Ryan Jones, who was killed on 5/2/2007 while serving with 4th Brigade Special Troops BN, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. But you know, I don't need to have known this brave soldier personally to highly esteem and respect him. Simply knowing Ryan willingly died for me, a complete stranger, warrants my sincerest admiration. 

And you know, when it comes to honoring people who warrant, or deserve our admiration, the Bible is very clear that you and I are to "pay to all what is owed to them... respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." And you can be sure that the generations of American soldiers who selflessly laid down their lives on battlefields all around the world, whether we know them or not, are most definitely deserving and worthy of our utmost appreciation, esteem, reverence, and recognition.

So today and every day, may you and I remember that freedom isn't free - that the utmost honor is due first to Jesus Christ who willingly died to free us from our sins, and then to every fallen serviceman and woman who died for the freedoms we enjoy today. After all, as Lane Allen Evans wrote, "Without the brave efforts of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines and their families, this nation, along with our allies around the world, would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly and live so freely."

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ who was the ultimate example of love. He willingly laid down His life so we could be free from sin's tyranny once and for all. And thank you for every fallen American soldier Lord who showed the same love for us, laying down their lives so we could live in a country where we are free to worship You. Please give peace to those families that have lost loved ones today Lord, and remind them that their deaths were not in vain. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Til the last shot's fired