I am off today to celebrate the US Holiday “Memorial Day.” Because we are living in Beijing, China, there are few visible signs of the significance this day holds, other than the flag at half-staff at the US Embassy. The definition of a “memorial” is “something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday.” I like that definition, because memories are all some people have left of the loved ones they have lost.
More specifically, Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering those who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. This narrows the scope of honorees to those who gave their lives in service to our country. The military draft ended in January 1973, but we have always had people who were willing to put their lives at risk to defend the United States and our interests around the world. Even draftees stepped up when called to service and many lost their lives as a result of answering that call. Honoring them is the right thing to do.
These people didn’t want to give up their lives. They had hopes, dreams and plans just like you and I. We have all heard of “heroes” who knowingly sacrificed their lives for others, but those are the exceptions. Most did their duty, going towards danger and risked their lives. They hoped to return to their “life” but it didn’t work out that way.
We all know the possibility of dying in war, but losing a loved one is still an unexpected and traumatic event. All plans for a future with that person were lost when they passed. Nothing can prepare us for such a loss. Our grief reminds us of what a valuable part of our lives they were. If they knew Jesus as their Savior, they are now in His care, but we still feel the loss of not having them with us.
If you know someone who lost their loved one in the service of our country, you should thank them and find a way to bless them. If they are still in pain from their loss, you can pray for GOD to give them peace in the midst of their storm. We owe them a debt we cannot repay.
There is another memorial that is “designed to preserve the memory of a person” and a significant event. A great sacrifice for others, it goes far beyond heroic. The death of that person wasn’t the end of our future with Him, but the beginning. Though traumatic at the time, His death wasn’t a reason for grief, but an occasion to rejoice. His death wasn’t a defeat, but the greatest victory. Not an unexpected loss, His death was planned from the foundations of the world. Knowing He would be sacrificed for others, He willingly answered the call. The Lord’s Supper is “the memorial” and preserving the memory of JESUS great sacrifice is the right thing to do. That is a way of thanking Him and is another debt we cannot repay.
Wayne Lance (2015)