Sacrifice

Reflection by Matt King

So what are you doing this weekend? It’s Memorial Day weekend. In some places across the country school has already let out, and this weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer. Some of us will simply enjoy not having to go into work on Monday. Some will go to the beach or the lake to enjoy a mini vacation. Wherever you find yourself, I encourage you at some point this weekend to take a moment, to pause, and to say a prayer of thanks for those who sacrificed for what you are able to freely enjoy.

First and foremost this weekend, we think about those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we, and others around the world, are able to safely live out the freedoms expressed in the ideals and founding documents at the heart of our nation. Monday is their day. They answered their country’s call. They went where few others wanted to go. When others ran away from danger, they ran towards it. We are able to live today because of their sacrifice, and we must never take it for granted. We must honor the sacrifices they made by living each day with faith, integrity, and by working for the good of those around us.

On November 19, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln stood on what had become the bloody battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and he delivered one of the most memorable and important speeches in our nation’s history. At the conclusion of the dedication ceremonies, and in reminding the country of the importance of living in ways that are worthy of the sacrifices made on their behalf by others, he said:

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…

Christ said that greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for a friend. In thinking of the Memorial Day Weekend as a whole, I am keenly aware of the fact that I am able to live the life I am today because of those who sacrificed on my behalf. While Monday speaks to the sacrifices of the members of the armed forces and their families, whom we rightly honor, I am also led to think of the many different ways in which sacrifices are made. I am aware that there are others who have sacrificed for us: our parents, law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, our friends and loved ones.

In a weekend that should lead us to think about sacrifice more than fun in the sun, I am also keenly aware of those who have worked to make our church what it is today. When it comes to Memorial Day, I cannot help but think of All Saints Day as well, when we think of all of the saints of the faith who have gone before us. While they were with us they worked to ensure that witness was given to the Living Christ in ways that advanced God’s reign in this world. They shaped our community of faith. They sacrificed to see it through difficult times. They instilled a deep faith within us.

I also recognize that we have tried to carry on in their absence just as they would. We are not, however, them. We cannot carry forward with business as usual as if nothing has changed. Things have changed, and those who shared their gifts in work and leadership in a previous time are no longer here to give their gifts. But we are still here. The work remains unfinished. We can now be renewed in our dedication to the task that remains before us. We can bear witness to Christ with increase devotion. We can search within ourselves to discover the gifts God has planted within each of us that can contribute to our collective work. Together we can bear witness to Christ as only we are uniquely suited to do. That may look different than it has in the past, but we will live out of a resolve that the sacrifices of those who came before us will not have been in vain. We will honor them by offering the measure of devotion that we are able to as we live into the mission of God in the world.

I pray that you are all safe this weekend, and that you are able to enjoy wonderful time with family and friends. Take some time for Sabbath rest. I also pray that you are moved to a place of reflection. Remember the fallen soldiers. Remember their families. Pray for them. Pray for all those who sacrifice to keep us safe and secure. Pray prayers of thanksgiving for those who have offered any sacrifice to make your life what it is today. Pray that God would lead you to sacrifice each day for the good of those around you as well. Finally, pray that our church will live into a bright future, offering a unique witness to Christ that speaks in ways that are relevant and needed.