I remember vividly as a young child in public school reciting the poem In Flanders Fields. Did you do that too? Followed by an afternoon of colouring pages of poppies during art time. We would do this every year after Halloween and before Christmas. And to be honest I had no idea of the significance of what I was doing. Today, as an adult I have a deeper, more profound understanding of why we stop and remember.

On Sunday at Amberlea we will pause to honour those who fought for our freedom, to reflect on the price they paid, and to acknowledge the benefits we gained through their sacrifice.

News outlets provide daily reason to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy in Canada. My heart aches for those living in countries where simply stepping into the street means risking one’s life. Or casting an election ballot threatens one’s personal safety. Or converting to Christianity is akin to signing a death wish.

A colleague told me of her recent conversation with a woman from Iran who had just received refugee status. “God has answered our prayers. If Canadian authorities had not said yes, then I would have returned to Iran,” she said. “And as a Christian, would have meant death.”

Just imagine her fear. Imagine her relief and gratitude. Oh, the freedoms we take for granted in our land.

On Monday, as a nation, we will pause to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy at others’ expense, but let’s also remember the sacrifice Jesus made for humankind.

Hebrews 10:19-20 says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.”

Jesus’ sacrificial death paved the way for us to have access to God. Because of what He’s done, we can know with certainty that our sins are washed away. We can enjoy moment by moment fellowship with the Divine. We can bring our concerns and needs to Him in confidence believing that He’ll care for us.

Let us never take our freedom for granted nor the price that Jesus paid so that we might enjoy spiritual freedom, too.