A Moment With Pastor Fred

It has been said Memorial Day honors those who never were able to take off the uniform – Veteran’s Day is to honor those who did. Tomorrow we salute the men and women who died in service of our nation. The holiday originated during the Civil War; first called Decorations Day in memory of fallen Union soldiers. The Confederacy had similar traditions but eventually both were combined. Observance of the day has diminished over the years. For many Memorial Day is simply the beginning of summer. That is unfortunate. It was emotional for me to see the unending white grave markers at Arlington when we visited almost 20 years ago. Let us pause and give thanks to those who gave their lives for our freedom. 

While we do not diminish the memory of these brave souls on this special day – let us not forget another army, the untold million soldiers of the cross. Our patriotism should not eclipse our loyalty to the gospel. Courageous men and women – boys and girls for that matter, who laid down their lives for the cause of Christ. We think such martyrdom to have occurred in biblical days or in centuries gone by. But according to statistics more Christians died for the faith in the last century that all the past combined. 

Today believers in countries like North Korea, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan – plus others are persecuted for their faith. Yes, we want to honor America’s dead but let us use this holiday redemptively. Let us use this day to recommit ourselves to be bold in our faith and faithful to the gospel.