Earn This

Scriptures: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1)

In 1998, the world famous director, Steven Spielberg, directed an award winning film called “Saving Private Ryan.” This story took place in WWII, right after the D-Day, when the War Department discovered that, out of the four sons in the Ryan family, three had died for their country in the war. They decided that it was too much for a family to have lost 3 children all in one day with the remaining one still on the battlefield risking his life for his country. So, they decided to send the fourth son, James Francis Ryan, home.

But, after further investigation, they discovered that James belonged to the 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment and was missing in action somewhere in France. So, the order was to find James and to bring him home. A search and rescue team of 9 was formed for this mission. They went through all kinds of difficulties, under enemy fires many times, and were deep into enemy territory. Finally, they found James and his battalion holding up a small town with a bridge of great strategic value.

Most people would be thrilled to hear that they can go home and be relived of their combat duties. But, James was different. He refused to leave his “brothers” in the battalion behind and went home alone. He demanded that he stay with his men. Finally, the leader of the search and rescue team, Captain Miller, reluctantly reached an agreement with James that, if the search and rescue team successfully help defend the town and the bridge, James would have to go home with them.

It was a brutal and costly battle for the Americans for they were outnumbered and inferior in equipments and weaponry. But the battle was won, with the heavy price of many lives, including those of the 9 sent to rescue James, one of the very few survivors. Before Captain Miller died, in whisper, he uttered these words to James, “Earn this!”

To this, James was more than grateful. He was almost fearful that he would not live up to the price paid to save his life. In a scene when he visited the grave of Captain Miller, he repeatedly asked his wife for confirmation that he had indeed lived a good life. Somehow, he hoped to receive a confirmation that the sacrifices of the search and rescue team were not in vain because of his life.

In a way, we are just like James for the bible says, “You were bought at a price.” (I Corinthians 6:20) If so, are we living a life worthy of the price paid to save us? In a time of thanksgiving, I can’t help wondering what we are thankful for. More importantly, to whom are we giving thanks? I heard many people sharing their thanksgiving thoughts. They were thankful for many people and many things. But never had they mentioned the recipient of their thanks. Without a recipient, all these thanksgiving words and thoughts become mumblings, just some utterance of meaningless sound.

This movie, dramatic as it is, reminds me of what God has paid for me, the dear and precious life of His only begotten Son. Because of Him, I am not only reconciled to God, but also given the right to become His son and to be entitled to all heavenly blessings.

He alone deserves our thanksgiving. He is the first and foremost reason for our thanksgiving!

Prayer Requests:
All those who celebrate Thanksgiving holiday

Prayer:
Our gracious Lord, who are we that You should be mindful of us, even to the extent of dying for us on the cross? Please help us to remember always that we were bought at a great price, that we need to be thankful in all things, and that we ought to live a life worthy of your calling. Thank You and praise You in Jesus’ name, Amen!