Memorial Day is a reminder that freedom is not free, nor is it to be taken for granted.
When you consider what the writer of Hebrews goes on to say, maybe the image of a stadium kind of makes sense. He says that "since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
I remember in my early years as a Christian, two weeks before Memorial Day weekend, the Hopewell Community, the Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church would work to made sure that Sadler Cemetery, a community cemetery, was clean of bush – beer can – debris that would cluttered the parking area.
Too many people today, Memorial Day is nothing more than the first day of the summer vacation season. But to me – and you may not agree – Memorial Day is much more than that. It is a sacred encounter with the souls of those who gave their lives to make this world a better place. Now, hold on to that thought for a moment.
What are we Christians here for? I believe, first, that WE are here to make the world a better place; and second, created people in his own image, in the image of God he created them male and female. And God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply…’”
God created us to be like Himself – to be the living mirror-image of God – and so to share with God the ministry of “dominion” which means TAKING CARE OF THE WORLD GOD CREATED! That’s what Genesis 1 says!
The newspaper reveals the world as it really is, and the Bible reveals Christians and the church for what WE are. We are SENT…to bring a touch of healing, to give life, to lovingly include the excluded, to set oppressed people free…to make the world a better place.
Here on Memorial Day weekend, it is good for us to pause and remember those who gave their lives.
><))):> In "HIS" Service,
Bro. Roy