Sacrifice
George
Washington is considered the “Father Of His Country”. The title bestowed on Washington is understandable
due to his service as a politician, military leader and the first president of
the United States. In fact, considering
all that he did for the nation, it is fitting that President’s Day be so
closely tied to his name (and his birthday – February 22). The legend and accurate history of George
Washington are often difficult to separate.
Many of the stories we learned as youngsters may or may not have
happened, but there is overwhelming proof that he is a true American hero. While it is easy to laud the impact
Washington had on our nation, it is also important to recall the price he paid to
become a preeminent Founding Father.
General Washington took on the responsibility of commanding a rag-tag
band of part-time soldiers to fight the British military machine. His dedication to the cause came at the
expense of his own personal comforts, his peace of mind and his ability to
enjoy his beloved home at Mount Vernon.
Even after the end of the hostilities he gave up the “good life” on the Potomac
for the challenges of fashioning a new government born from a new way of
thinking. Eventually, civilian George
Washington would get a chance to rest and relax; but that time would be
short-lived.
As
I reminisced about President Washington, I got to thinking about those who
sacrifice for the benefit of others. I
would imagine most nations have their own versions of George Washington. Each one of us, individually, can tell a
story or two about someone who has sacrificed to make our lives better. Yet, at the center of this discussion, one
Figure stands brightest. Of all those
who sacrificed so that people can become the best they can be there is no
greater name than Father God. Mankind’s relationship with God is – to say
the least – complex. God created us and
the world in which we live. God cared
enough about mankind to provide us with the ability to think and reason for
ourselves; however, that freedom led to the most challenging layer of our
relationship – sin. Yet, God was not
finished with us, He was willing to sacrifice even more to build a bridge of
reconciliation. God coveted a
relationship with us so much that He sent is Son to earth so that He might show
us the way to live and provide us a path to redemption. As the Apostle John recorded the life and times
of Jesus he observed, “For
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the
world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:16-17).
Put simply, our Father in heaven is more than a hero; He is the Almighty
Creator, Sustainer and Savior!