“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13
In the United States, today is Memorial Day. For many of us it may be a day off to spend with family or friends swimming and eating hotdogs/hamburgers. However, more importantly, it is a day we honor those who have died during their service in the armed forces.
John 15:13 captures the heart of this day. It describes the highest form of love as self-sacrifice as Jesus declared this verse to His disciples before His death. This is also what those who died in service did for us. They willingly laid down their life by leaving their safety and families behind as well as stood in harm’s way to protect their nation.
Every year, I try and write about this because I don’t ever want to take for granted what are military does for us. I want to make sure I honor those who have kept and keep us living in the land of the free.
Some ways we can show our appreciation is by donating to charities that serve the families of military or attending a local event which commemorates those in our community. In the past I have run a 5k, but this year I wasn’t able to find any local ones that fall on Memorial Day.
One of the things I enjoy most when I run a 5k that honors the military is the opening ceremony. Along with singing the National Anthem, they also have someone from the armed services leading the pact running with the American flag. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. There is another run in August close to where I live called the Military Heroes 5K. As hot as it will probably be that time of the year, if I am in town, I plan on doing it.
Wherever you are this day, let us all pause and say a prayer for both those who gave their lives for our country as well as those currently in active service and our veterans who faithfully served. They didn’t serve because they were forced to by the government, they did it by choice. In some countries, young men don’t have this choice.
Father God,
Thank You for all the fallen soldiers who gave their lives to defend our country. I lift up family members who are grieving for their loved ones as they remember them not just on Memorial Day, but every day. May You Fill their hearts with Your comfort and love. I also pray for the veterans and the protection of our active military I praise You for giving us the Ultimate Sacrifice, Your Son, Jesus, who died on the cross so that His children would receive eternal life. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
May Verse
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15
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