Simply Angie

Why We Remember Our Military Servants

Roger Hockey shares his heart as we remember past and present ANZAC Servants

Angie Berg

Apr 26

It’s always sobering to think about the men and women throughout history who went off to fight, nurse, or serve in the armed services so that we can live in a free country today.

Most free countries have a special day of remembrance, a time when we collectively focus our hearts and minds in gratitude for the sacrifice of those who endured hardships most of us will never experience. In America, it’s Memorial Day; in Australia, it’s Anzac Day.

Australia’s Anzac Day is held on April 25 each year, so yesterday we took that time to stop and remember. The phrase that is often repeated is, “Lest we forget.” I love that phrase because it is a compelling challenge.

In our fast-paced and often crazy lives, filled with so many attention-grabbing distractions and often time-wasting frivolities, it is increasingly easy to forget who we are, why we are here, and where we are going.

If, like me, you are a born-again Christian, saved by the blood of Christ alone, you know who you are - a child of the King of Heaven. It’s easy to forget Whose child we are in times of stress, frustration, fear, disappointment, discouragement, or temptation.

Equally, our focus on our purpose in life can become blurry as we are bombarded with the many time-stealing allurements and diversions that are constantly cropping up as technology advances and the world becomes darker.

Most importantly, if we forget where we are going (eternity), it is so easy to live in the present with the wrong goals and priorities, focusing on things that don’t matter in the long run instead of obeying the One that purchased eternal life for us instead of leaving us to our inevitable eternal damnation.

One of our good friends, Roger Hockey, gave a wonderful speech yesterday for the Anzac Day service in his local community of Watsonville, Queensland, here in Australia. He reminded us of the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, but also challenged us to continue with that same courage and determination to use our freedom to continue to do what is right and good. I included the video of his remarks because they touched my heart, and I hoped you would be encouraged and challenged by them, too, regardless of where you are from.

I’m one of the lucky ones, though I prefer the term “blessed.” I was born and raised in America and have lived for the last 26 years in Australia. I have reaped the benefits of those who gave their lives to purchase continuing freedom in both of these great countries. It’s very sad to see these freedoms now being dismantled. If the Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t return soon, I expect we will become yet another cautionary tale in the annals of history.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

Our only hope is found in Christ and His Word. When we follow God’s Word, we are promised ‘good success,’ but when we forget God, we are doomed to hell and destruction.