Well happy Memorial Day… although it is a bit strange to say “happy” about a day that honors men and women that have “fallen”; thus, the day brings an element of mourning as well to those that are remembering loved ones. BUT I do believe there is room for “happy” and “joy” and “celebration” and “honor” on this day… not in focusing on them being gone… but in focusing on how they lived!
As I prepared for a preaching engagement I had this weekend, I kept thinking about this concept… and thought about the idea of winning a trophy/award, be it a team or individual honor… it is in essence a celebration, not that the year is over, but in how the year went… The trophy/award causes reflection on a season or tournament where GREATness was achieved… and when that is spread over a career for individuals it may even end with a Hall of Fame memorial.
So, this week I ask us to reflect on our own lives… when we are gone will we be missed? Will there be a void left of service to God and others? Will people look back on our season and celebrate how we “played the game”? I’m afraid that most “memorials” or eulogies are just reminder of “players” that were good… I want us to be remembered as “players” that were GREAT! And in the Christian world, I believe that to be similar to the armed forces world, in that the GREATness is measured in service and sacrifice…
Matthew 20:26-28 (Jesus speaking) “…but whoever desires
to be GREAT among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first
among you, let him be your slave ---- just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
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