May 25, 2020
Memorial Day
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
What normally would be crowded highways and interstates with mass exoduses from towns and cities in route to the mountains, lakes, amusement parks, and beaches on this Memorial Day holiday, marking the unofficial beginning of summer, has turned into a cautionary journey for most, if there is even a journey. Instead, the backyard grill sounds safe and sound to most with the comfort of family and home the best bet in these continued uncertain times.
But as we have talked about silver linings before there is certainly a silver lining on this sacred day as many stay closer to home: the opportunity to concentrate a little more on the meaning behind the holiday: the commemoration of the almost million men and women who lost their lives since the Continental Army was formed in the 18th century, which tells us in stark terms that the most important way these sacrifices can be repaid is to pay sincere and solemn respect and honor to the lives lost in defense of the freedom we cherish, and to offer our gratitude to members of the armed forces who arecurrently serving our nation.
It’s a powerful scripture for a day as this: “Greater love has no one than this, that to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Prayer: Gracious God, we give thanks for all Thy servants who have laid down their lives for the service of our country. Unite all the people of this nation to defend the freedom for which these brave men and women lived and died. Let us honor their memory and so advance their high and noble purposes. Amen.