What's the Big Deal?
Happy Memorial Day! I hope that you are out doing something fun this weekend! Have you ever asked, what is the reason for Memorial Day? Today we celebrate it as the "official" kick off to the summer holiday season, a three day weekend ... but is that what it's for?
Did you know that Memorial Day was first celebrated in 1868, as a day to remember the fallen soldiers and those who served the nation during the civil war? It is an opportunity to remember those men and women who have faithfully served our country and given the ultimate sacrifice.
Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NASB)
From the Memorial Day website: "Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all."
As we remember those who have faithfully served the people of the USA, I suggest we remember too those who have faithfully served the Kingdom ... and given the ultimate gift of love and laid down their life for their friends ... so that we may continue to enjoy the freedoms we have. As we consider the other part of Memorial Day, a day of reconciliation ... that brings in even more meaning. During the Civil War, this country was torn in two and the war became one of the bloodiest wars ever fought. The country needed reconciliation to bring it back together. Think about our world today. In some places it is actually against the law to practice Christianity. Even in our own country "Christians" are viewed with a skeptical eye. Not that I blame this perception, since the church has done much damage over time ... YET, are we to go out battling and arguing with others over our beliefs? Didn't Jesus ask us to love our neighbors as ourselves? Didn't He ask us to love our enemy and pray for those who persecute us? Think about those who are on the front lines in the spiritual battle ... oh yea, that's all of us!! How well are we doing in loving our neighbor? How well are we doing in loving our enemy? When was the last time any of us prayed for those who would persecute us? I know these are areas that I need work in, how about you? Friend, I encourage you to please take the time this weekend and spend a few moments before the Lord, remembering with Him, thanking Him for the freedoms we have and for the people who have given themselves for the rest of us. And thank Him too for those who we would call our enemy. Pray and listen for them, for we have been challenged by Jesus with the ministry of reconciliation. | 
