ANZAC Day 25th April 2007

ANZAC Day 25th April 2007

I never knew the significance of ANZAC until I reached university. Surely we were taught in primary school and at SGS (my high school)? Yes, there were definitive knowledged-based teachings of the ins & outs of Australian Soldiers enlisted in the AIF to defend our then King and Country. But the day only took my attention when I started to realize what 'sacrifice' meant for me as a

1) beneficiary, and
2) imitator of the person of Jesus.

The first part probably had its roots in when I became a Christian in 1994: I could truly understand the amazing sacrifice of God's Son for me personally. Having known God's grace, it is much easier to appreciate and be thankful to those who willingly and generously sacrifice their own time, money, labour and even lives for you. So not only in relation to the ANZAC but to many around me, the significance of their sacrifice just seems to forever float onto my consciousness.

The latter part is very much an ongoing process, and I dare say for any serious disciple of Christ Jesus. Do you know the times when people say to you: "you won't know it unless you try?" Very much so with the meaning of sacrifice. When I try to follow the footsteps of Jesus, I guess in my own relationships with wife, brothers & sisters, patients, colleagues... the failings and short-fall of my own sacrifice are obvious. So it is much easier for me to stay interested and involved in ANZAC Day celebrations, for many of those men willingly put their lives out for others, who either didn't care or could do so, and as well for us today.