McAlder Blog

Today, I am grateful to be alive and free to celebrate and thank our United States Veterans and their families for their personal sacrifices for America’s freedom. It is often something taken for granted while we cling to the rights and the privileges that many have laid down their own lives for. As we consider this day, may we also be reminded that our world is full of innocent people living in countries that are oppressed and/or at war. We are so very fortunate that our troops continue to defend freedom and democracy in the United States.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth, universal brotherhood and good will, and a constant striving toward the principles and ideals on which this country was founded.” Do you believe this? To hold such a belief—that all people, not just Americans, deserve to be treated with dignity and honor to the point of personal sacrifice—is the very example that Christ set before us. The apostle Paul describes this in Philippians 2:1–4: “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (NIV)

While our veterans have selflessly submitted themselves to this high calling and privilege, we as followers of Christ are also called to live in a similar manner for the sake of the Kingdom. May we be humble and vigilant.