Memorial Day used to be celebrated on whatever day May 30th fell on. Now it is celebrated on the last Monday in the month of May. Before it was known as Memorial Day, it was known as Declaration Day. It started as a way to honor those who died in the Civil War.
Now it is a day that we give honor to those who have died in service while defending our country. On this day we honor the sacrifices they made, so we can have the freedom we now have. We thank and honor them for their courage and their bravery.
Many of us now look at Memorial Day as an extra day to be off work. A day to view the fireworks, parades or have a picnic. Some of us have forgotten the sacrifices made, so we can enjoy the freedom we have. We have the freedom to live where we want to. The freedom to worship where we want to. The freedom to speak our minds, to have our own opinions.
We have forgotten those who laid down their lives, so we can live in freedom today. Freedom is not free and many have paid the price for our freedom.
As a Christian, when I think of a memorial I think about honoring those who have gone on to glory to be with God. Those who when God called they said I will go. Those who had unwavering faith. Who knew that if God was for them who could be against them.
Hebrew 11:17 says, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.” Abraham’s faith and trust was in God. He was a willing servant for the Lord. There are many others that put their faith and trust in God that we should honor. Remember Moses who led Israel out of Egypt. Paul who went out in the highways and byways preaching the word of God. He was not afraid of what might happen to him, but he knew God would protect him from all harm and danger. We stand on the shoulders of many people who have gone on before us. We need to give them honor for heeding the call of God.
We have family and friends we need to honor who have paved the way for us. The ones who helped us be the people we are now. The ones who prayed for us, guided us, and encouraged us to be all that God wanted us to be. I miss my grandmother Adline Sharp and mother Estella Sharp. They were the two people I could call and talk to and they always had words of wisdom and encouragement to give me. I miss their unconditional love. Despite my screw ups they still loved me.
Many have laid down their life for this country. Laid down their lives for family, friends and neighbors. We need to honor those who have paved the way for us. We need to stop and pause sometimes and reflect on the past and how far we have come as a people. How we have what we have today because of the blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors.
There is no greater love than the love that Jesus displayed. God loved us so much that he gave his only begotten son to die on the Christ. “No Greater love than to lay down your life for a friend.” (John 15:13) Jesus deserves our glory and honor. He did not just give up his life for a friend. He gave up his life for all of humanity. He wanted none to perish, he wanted us to have everlasting life. Romans 5:7-9 says, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
Jesus died for sinners like us. Even though he knew we would continue to sin, Jesus still stayed on the cross for us. He died for our redemption and salvation. He knew we have a sinful nature that would cause us to sin over and over again. He wanted us to have access to his kingdom. He wanted us to have an opportunity to be with him in glory. How many people do you know would give their life for you? Give their life so you can live. We praise God for sacrificing His only begotten son for us.
This Memorial Day let us remember all of those who have died for our freedom. Those who died for love our country, for the love of God and for the love of humanity. Those who sacrificed their lives so we can worship and praise our God each and every day. We don’t have to worry about being put in jail for worshipping God. We don’t have to hide our bibles and read them in secret. Let us remember what Jesus did that day on the Cross. When he bore the sins of the whole world. He deserves all glory and honor.
Linda Sharp-Williams 