What Will We Become?

Have you ever wondered why our leaders created holidays to celebrate in America?

As a child, a holiday usually meant being out of school, or getting special presents like during Christmas and Easter. Once we became adults, we are supposed to become mature in our thinking and reflecting. Holidays were meant to honor things we value, and the sacrifice the others have made. Unfortunately,  as kids, many of the adults in our lives failed to sit down with us and explain each holiday and why people set that day aside to reflect on.

I wonder how often I missed explain holidays with my kids? Maybe I was just glad for a day off from work, or an extra day to relax at home with my family. Maybe I just was lazy and wanted to think about me instead of thinking about what others had done already for my safety and comfort. Whatever the reason, I did not reflect, much if at all, or help my kids reflect. It has surely weakened my own gratitude, let alone the future perspective of my kids. To be clear, I did some reflecting with my kids, but not enough, looking back. Had I thought about it, I would have done better. Reflected more. Reminded myself and my kids why each holiday was special. The problem with the past is that you can’t change it. You can only learn from it if you have a mind to.

I remember growing up and my grandfather serving in a large American Legion organization. He spent so much time honoring men and women that served in the armed forces. He would lead an honor guard every time there was a funeral of a person would died and served in the armed services. I remember him dressing up in his special uniform and his white rife. I remember him shinning his shoes so you could see your face in them and wondering why he would go through so much trouble for dead people. Now, as an adult, I think of him and his sense of honor for people who served him and his freedom. I’m grateful for his example, but wonder about mine?

In the Old Testament, God speaks about setting up “memorials” in our lives so we don’t forget others sacrifice and how God moved on our behalf. I think we have drifted from such thinking; forgotten to show respect for those who have gone before us, and served a purpose greater than themselves. Look at this passage in the Old Testament that speaks about God’s attitude towards those who have proven their worth through sacrifice:

Isaiah 56:1-8

Be just and fair to all, says the LORD. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you. Blessed are those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest by refusing to work. And blessed are those who keep themselves from doing wrong.

And my blessings are for Gentiles, too, when they commit themselves to the LORD. Do not let them think that I consider them second-class citizens. And my blessings are also for the eunuchs. They are as much mine as anyone else. For I say this to the eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy, who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me: I will give them in my house, within my walls a memorial and a name far greater than the honor they would have received by having sons and daughters. For the name I give them is an everlasting one. It will never disappear!

Ultimately God is saying he will not forget when we have made a decision to honor Him and his word. If this is how God behaves, is it not an example for us to follow and without neglect? Showing what we value is so important to our thinking and the values we live by. If we don’t give traction to our beliefs, we will soon find ourselves no longer have them. Jesus had spoken about this when a woman came to honor him with expensive oil. She saw a way to honor Jesus and his sacrifice when others were just revealing in his presence. The disciples even criticized her for such a wasted effort because they only saw the value of the ministry and not the value of the person of Jesus. How short-sighted we get when we think being with Jesus is only about how he blesses us and not how we ought to be like Him. We should have the same heart to pass along our blessing to others that have to know such love.

Mark 14:3-9

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume. She broke the seal and poured the perfume over his head. Some of those at the table were indignant. Why was this expensive perfume wasted? they asked. She could have sold it for a small fortune and given the money to the poor! And they scolded her harshly.

But Jesus replied, Leave her alone. Why berate her for doing such a good thing to me? ⁷You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But I will not be here with you much longer. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be talked about in her memory.

Definition of Memorials

A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or art objects such as sculptures, statues or fountains, and even entire parks.

Questions:

When was the last time you honored Memorial Day so your kids knew what you thought of other’s sacrifice?

When was the last time you truly honored God with a memorial in your life –  a sacrifice to show honor?

May the Holy Spirit Awaken our souls to honor things and people we know sacrificed for us.

Pastor Dale