How does Memorial Day remind us to abide in Jesus? What comes to mind when you think
about Memorial Day? The weekend is often a celebratory time for families enjoying a long
weekend, having a cook-out with friends or playing at the beach. In the midst of the delicious
food and time of relaxation, maybe, just maybe there is a moment of thankful celebration,
remembering the meaning behind Memorial Day. Better yet, perhaps we experience a somber-
ness, in acknowledging that the long weekend gives us the opportunity to remember the men and
women who gave up their lives for our freedom by serving in the Armed Forces. Most of these
men and women died so that others wouldn’t have to.
John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Sometimes when I spend time with Jesus, it’s restful like playing at the beach. I thank Him for
His goodness and all the nice things He’s done for me. But I forget the gravity of what it meant
that He died for me. He died for me so that I wouldn’t have to die…the eternal death of
separation from God. Jesus is the greatest friend, and showed us the greatest love because He
gave His life for us.
As the wife of a Veteran, Memorial Day is a somber day for my husband and I as we remember
his fellow men in arms who lost their lives on deployment just over half a decade ago. I will
never forget that day as long as I live. Lives taken far too soon, and widows left to deal with the
ruins of what they dreamed their lives would become.
John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life
and have it abundantly.”
The thief in this verse, referring to Satan, has three goals in mind. To steal, kill and destroy. He
will do this on the battle ground in Afghanistan, or in strained relationships, or in the spiritual
realm of distracting people from following Jesus. But there is hope! Jesus came not only that we
could have eternal life. Which I am so grateful for! Jesus also came so that we would have
abundant life. Here and now. An abundant life is one so fixed on Jesus, that we can grieve this
Memorial Day but not be shaken. Doubts and questions may flood our minds like the morning I
received the news of my husband’s fellow soldiers. But, living so rooted in Christ…living this
abundant life keeps us from being swayed.
As we continually seek Jesus, let us remember Him as the One who gave up His life in order for
us to have this blessed, abundant life firmly rooted and growing in Him!
