Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds .
John 12:24
Memorial Day was first established on May 30th, 1868, as a day to honor those who have served and died for our nation. Since then, the United States has lost a staggering number of veterans. Consider these statistics from Veterans Affairs: 656000 lost in battle; 525000 lost, but not in battle; and 32.5 million died after military service (mem_day_20190524_F.pdf (va.gov). These numbers represent sacrifice. So how do we celebrate this day of remembrance? How do we honor those who continue to serve? How do we respectfully acknowledge the sacrifice of those who died to ensure that we would have liberty, and justice for all?
Jesus showed us how, when he gave up his life willingly so that we might live, and not just live, but live more abundantly. His sacrifice signified his love for humanity, and now his love compels us to serve others in his name. Likewise, those who died for our nation, sacrificed their lives so that we might flourish as a nation. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (1841-1935), who served as associate justice of the U.S Supreme court from 1902-1932, summed it up this way in a Memorial Day address: “Our dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of life, not death -- of life to which in their youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring. As I listen, the great chorus of life and joy begins again, and amid the awful orchestra of seen and unseen powers and destinies of good and evil our trumpets sound once more a note of daring, hope, and will.”
Perhaps then on this Memorial Day, we are encouraged by the selfless sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by the sacrifice of so many veterans, to pause once again, not to wish each other a flippant “Happy Memorial Day” but to sincerely:
· honor the surviving veterans in our midst, at home, at work, in our churches….
· pray for the safety of those who are still actively serving in dangerous places.
· pray for the families who are separated from loved ones that are still serving.
· pray for God’s comfort to rest upon those who still mourn their loss(es).
· give gratitude for their lives and our lives with all the benefits that surround us.
· re-dedicate our lives to serving others as our veterans serve/served us.
· embrace life at every stage, as a gift and privilege.
The numbers above tell the story of the sacrifice of so many. Let us likewise live our lives sacrificially.
“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”—Calvin Coolidge
So, let’s have a giving week in honor of those who gave everything! AMEN!