During the month of May, we celebrate Memorial Day. It is a time of honoring and remembering the sacrifice made by men and women in service to our great country. Many people take this opportunity to decorate gravesites of departed loved ones as it marks the unofficial start of summer. It’s our way remembering their lives and honoring their memories.
For those who have served (and currently serve) in the military, it requires a certain measure of sacrifice, being willing to put your country’s needs ahead of your own. This sacrifice is shared by everyone who serves. Some give the ultimate sacrifice as they perish in battle. Others are wounded and scarred for life. Others serve in peace time and don’t hace physical scars. Inevitably, everyone knows someone who made some level of sacrifice. Everyone who has served has prepared for the possibility of making that sacrifice. We remember the sacrifice of all, even through they didn’t serve hoping to be remembered. They didn’t serve for the recognition. They served out of a sense of call and duty.
In the church, we are all called to serve in the Kingdom of God. This service will also require sacrifice. Everyone’s sacrifice won’t be the same, but we all need to be willing to sacrifice everything for the Kingdom of God. Jesus made the once and for all atoning sacrifice on the cross, and He has called each of us to follow Him. We do not follow Jesus for recognition. We don not follow Jesus for any earthly reward because there really is no earthly reward. The reward comes when we meet Jesus face to face and He welcomes us into the eternal Kingdom that He is preparing for us in Heaven. How is Jesus calling you to serve? What is He calling you to sacrifice for His Kingdom?
Blessings,
Pastor Raymond