Giving your life away- why it’s far more difficult to live for something glorious than to die for it
I’ve lost count of how many military memorial ceremonies I’ve attended throughout my life. I have personally presided over more than 30 of them. At some point, during the height of the global war on terrorism, I experienced a profound transformation in the way I viewed honoring warriors at military memorials.
Most military memorials are deeply painful. Typically, warriors are much younger than the average citizen when they pass away. Military deaths are almost always sudden and violent, which brings an intensity of raw emotions to the service. When you add the profound loss felt by both the military family and the unit, memorials can become truly overwhelming.
I used to focus only on the violent way a warrior died while standing in formation, listening to the Last Roll Call. I still find it difficult not to become deeply emotional when Taps is played. However, while presiding over the memorial of one of my friends in Iraq, I realized something important: it was not only the way this great man died, but the way he lived that left the greatest impression on me and those around him. This simple truth had a profound impact on my life.
Most military memorials are deeply painful. Typically, warriors are much younger than the average citizen when they pass away. Military deaths are almost always sudden and violent, which brings an intensity of raw emotions to the service. When you add the profound loss felt by both the military family and the unit, memorials can become truly overwhelming.
I used to focus only on the violent way a warrior died while standing in formation, listening to the Last Roll Call. I still find it difficult not to become deeply emotional when Taps is played. However, while presiding over the memorial of one of my friends in Iraq, I realized something important: it was not only the way this great man died, but the way he lived that left the greatest impression on me and those around him. This simple truth had a profound impact on my life.
Great loss
Of course, every death is a tragedy—this truth is ingrained in the human heart. Although death comes to all of us, we were not created for it. God’s original plan for humanity was that we would live as eternal beings. Because of the sin of our first ancestors, we now carry an eternal spirit within a body of flesh that will eventually wear out. Military memorials have always reminded me that a day is coming when all people will receive an eternal body to accompany their immortal soul.
Every death is a tragedy, and the violent death of young warriors feels like an even greater loss. Yet, standing on an airfield in Iraq, watching hundreds of warriors pay their respects to a fallen comrade, caused me to see military death in a deeper light. In a war between good and evil, there is a loss far greater than a single human life. The greater tragedy would be to surrender to evil and lose the freedoms for which patriots have paid the ultimate price. Nothing can ever lessen the pain or tragedy of a warrior killed in action, but the greatest loss would be forfeiting the very cause that warrior fought and was willing to die for.
Every death is a tragedy, and the violent death of young warriors feels like an even greater loss. Yet, standing on an airfield in Iraq, watching hundreds of warriors pay their respects to a fallen comrade, caused me to see military death in a deeper light. In a war between good and evil, there is a loss far greater than a single human life. The greater tragedy would be to surrender to evil and lose the freedoms for which patriots have paid the ultimate price. Nothing can ever lessen the pain or tragedy of a warrior killed in action, but the greatest loss would be forfeiting the very cause that warrior fought and was willing to die for.
Greater love
Jesus declared that there is no greater act of love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). I have witnessed this profound honor many times while serving as a U.S. Army Ranger. I firmly believe that the greatest act of love is to give one’s life for a noble cause. It is truly the ultimate expression of love, because the moment you give your life, everything you own and possess is gone—there is nothing greater left to give.
My great epiphany came as I reflected on what led these men to serve their country in the first place. Watching these warriors dedicate themselves to a cause far greater than themselves made me realize that a sacrificial death is indeed the greatest single act of love. Yet, there is an even greater act of love—one that requires more sacrifice. It is the daily act of living for something greater than yourself. The ongoing sacrifice required to live for such a cause is far greater than the single sacrifice of dying for it.
My great epiphany came as I reflected on what led these men to serve their country in the first place. Watching these warriors dedicate themselves to a cause far greater than themselves made me realize that a sacrificial death is indeed the greatest single act of love. Yet, there is an even greater act of love—one that requires more sacrifice. It is the daily act of living for something greater than yourself. The ongoing sacrifice required to live for such a cause is far greater than the single sacrifice of dying for it.
Greatest life
When you stand at a military memorial, walk through a military cemetery, or observe a military ceremony, never forget the great sacrifice of a life laid down to secure your freedom. Yet, I challenge you to see these great men and women in a different light. They were not only willing to die for your benefit, but they also had the courage and tenacity to live for something greater.
A noble death is always a deeply inspiring moment. However, a life relentlessly dedicated to that noble cause is far greater. Anyone can make the ultimate sacrifice once, but it takes an even greater person to live out that sacrifice day after day. It is always far more difficult to live for something glorious than to die for it.
I hope you can learn from the revelation I had in Iraq. You may never find yourself in a situation where you have the chance to die a glorious death, but all of us can choose to live a life dedicated to a noble cause. If you accept that challenge, the manner of your death becomes less important. What will matter is that people will honor you at your funeral, remembering the life you lived and the impact you left on them long after your spirit has shed its mortal flesh.
A noble death is always a deeply inspiring moment. However, a life relentlessly dedicated to that noble cause is far greater. Anyone can make the ultimate sacrifice once, but it takes an even greater person to live out that sacrifice day after day. It is always far more difficult to live for something glorious than to die for it.
I hope you can learn from the revelation I had in Iraq. You may never find yourself in a situation where you have the chance to die a glorious death, but all of us can choose to live a life dedicated to a noble cause. If you accept that challenge, the manner of your death becomes less important. What will matter is that people will honor you at your funeral, remembering the life you lived and the impact you left on them long after your spirit has shed its mortal flesh.
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