Written By: Adam Dickson
I never knew what Memorial Day meant as a child, or if I am totally honest with you, even as a young adult. Not even early in my military career. I looked at it as a day off of work, and a great day to barbecue and hang out with the family. It symbolized the beginning of the summer and all the excitement that comes with it.
It wasn’t until much later that I realized the significance of Memorial Day. After the attacks of 9/11, the impact of this day was even more substantial to friends and family who lost loved ones overseas. For a while, it seemed once every few weeks, someone I knew lost a loved one.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
God didn’t just talk about the sacrifice of laying down your life for a friend as an expression of love in Scripture. He lived this out when His Son died on the cross for all of our sins. A true expression of His love for us! Isn’t that amazing?
As we go about our business on this Memorial Day, I want you to think about those individuals who lost their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice has made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted. Just like our freedom to live in this great country was paid for at a high price of someone’s life, so too is our ability to live in eternity with our Heavenly Father! John 3:16 tells us that God sent His only Son to die on a cross for our sins, and the best part is He didn’t stop there. He rose again on the third day and conquered the grave.
Today, I challenge you to look at those around you and intentionally think about the price that has been paid for your lives! Think about how much God loves you! Then think about the freedoms we enjoy and remember those who fought and died for them.
Written By: Adam Dickson
