Observing Memorial Day
This was the last day of school. It is the beginning of Memorial Day weekend, which is the official start of summer. People are getting in their cars to drive to the beach and to the mountains. The highways are crowded. It seems that folks feel the need to get away. They have a 4 day weekend, so they want to take advantage of it. There is definitely a lot of activity going on this weekend.
However, it is Memorial Day that is lost in all of the excitement. Why do we have Memorial day? We are supposed to observe this holiday to remember all of the men and women who have died in military service protecting our freedoms. It should be a sober day of remembrance more than a celebration of the beginning of summer. If those people had not died, we may not be able to go to the beach.
The fact is that we live in a fallen world. Sin infects everything, especially people. That sin leads people to be greedy for power and money. That leads to wars. No one in his right mind likes war or promotes it as being good, but sometimes, it is necessary. (Ecclesiastes 3:8) At times we must fight to defend our families and our freedom from the tyranny of evil men. When that happens, good men and women lose their lives fighting for what is right. When I was growing up during the Vietnam war, there was a huge anti-war movement. Some of the protesters had a saying, "Better red than dead." In other words, they would rather be under communist rule than to fight and be killed. That is not the only problem, though. If the communists take over, we would have to decide whether to be atheist or dead. As for me, I am not going to renounce my belief in Christ, just so I can live a few more years. I would rather fight for the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech that gives everyone the chance to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If I die in the process, so be it. Freedom is not just precious. It is given to us by God. Satan is the one who wants to take it away. Freedom is worth fighting for in my estimation, and it is worth dying for, too. Let's remember those who have died, so we can live in freedom.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 10-13.
However, it is Memorial Day that is lost in all of the excitement. Why do we have Memorial day? We are supposed to observe this holiday to remember all of the men and women who have died in military service protecting our freedoms. It should be a sober day of remembrance more than a celebration of the beginning of summer. If those people had not died, we may not be able to go to the beach.
The fact is that we live in a fallen world. Sin infects everything, especially people. That sin leads people to be greedy for power and money. That leads to wars. No one in his right mind likes war or promotes it as being good, but sometimes, it is necessary. (Ecclesiastes 3:8) At times we must fight to defend our families and our freedom from the tyranny of evil men. When that happens, good men and women lose their lives fighting for what is right. When I was growing up during the Vietnam war, there was a huge anti-war movement. Some of the protesters had a saying, "Better red than dead." In other words, they would rather be under communist rule than to fight and be killed. That is not the only problem, though. If the communists take over, we would have to decide whether to be atheist or dead. As for me, I am not going to renounce my belief in Christ, just so I can live a few more years. I would rather fight for the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech that gives everyone the chance to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If I die in the process, so be it. Freedom is not just precious. It is given to us by God. Satan is the one who wants to take it away. Freedom is worth fighting for in my estimation, and it is worth dying for, too. Let's remember those who have died, so we can live in freedom.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 10-13.