The true meaning of Memorial Day

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 NLT

With the COVID-19 Pandemic still forcing the shutdown of many businesses, churches and events across the United States, I counted myself blessed yesterday to have been able to attend church and I will count myself blessed again today when I join a group of fellow runners and friends (staying 6ft apart of course) for a Memorial Day run later to honor those fallen service members who gave us the freedom to worship and to assemble. Do you realize that's what this day is all about? Honoring those people who willingly gave their lives that we might live in freedom? People who left family behind to forever mourn their passing so that we could be free? Sadly, many people don't. In fact, according to a new study by the University of Phoenix, only around 4 in 10 Americans know the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Even sadder, though, is that a growing number of Americans don't know that Jesus, like the American soldier, willingly died to give us freedom. You see, by shedding His blood, Jesus took the punishment of death that we deserved and gave us eternal life in its' place. And the best part? This "free gift" of God comes through accepting Jesus Christ's death on the Cross as payment for our transgressions. That means when we submit to Christ and give Him our lives, we have freedom from the power and penalty of sin.

So if you haven't made the decision to follow Christ, won't you do so today that you might have the true freedom that comes only through Him? And if Jesus Christ is already Lord of your life, won't you tell somebody about it? After all, honoring Him with our lips and with our lives is the greatest thing you and I could ever do to show our gratefulness. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the American soldier who died to give us the freedoms we enjoy in our country today. Help us not to take those soldiers or our freedom for granted. We pray a blessing over their families today as we pay them honor for their actions and their sacrifice. Mostly Lord, thank You for your son Jesus Christ who willingly died to save us from our sins to give us the true freedom found only in You. May we live our lives in honor of that sacrifice each and every day. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

This is my desire - Michael W. Smith