Giving Thanks for Our Freedom 

A few years ago, I went to the Bomber Command Memorial which had just been opened in Green Park, London. The memorial stands as a fitting tribute to the 55,573 Bomber Command crew who lost their lives in the Second World War. Bomber Command suffered the heaviest casualties of any British unit in the Second World War, with nearly half its men lost. As I stood there, I remembered a conversation I once had with my Dad, a bomber pilot who flew 39 operations with 10 Squadron during 1943-44. During the conversation I asked him about his wartime experiences as a pilot and (after he was shot down) as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 3.

I remember him saying; “We knew we were fighting evil and that we were fighting for the freedom of our families, friends and country.” Few would dispute that the Nazi regime was indeed one of evil, especially when you read about the death camps, concentration camps and many other atrocities.

Each Remembrance Sunday I think about my Dad, and many like him who made so many sacrifices so that we may enjoy the freedom we have today. On that day in services across this country the contribution of all the British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts will be commemorated and we have the opportunity to give thanks for each of these men and women.

We can also give thanks and remember another one who sacrificed His life so that we might enjoy even greater freedom, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that Jesus loves us and gave His life for each of us (Galatians 2:20) so that we might enjoy a freedom from death and guilt, (Romans 6:23) from slavery and addiction (John 8:34,36) and from fear (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Jesus sets us free to know God (Isaiah 59:2), to live a life of love - for God and for others (1 John 4:19) and to experience change and transformation so that we can live the abundant lives He intended for us to enjoy and experience! (Galatians 5:22)

Let me encourage you to remember and give thanks for all who sacrificed so much and this week when you pray to spend time giving thanks to Jesus for the freedom, He has won for us