No Greater Love

Gravesite with an American flag attached to each headstone

Memorial Day celebrations are already underway. I saw my neighbors hooking up their boat for a weekend on the lake, Front yards are decorated with American flags and I can smell the barbeque from backyard cookouts wafting through the air.

This is all fine, but don't forget the meaning of Memorial Day. It is not just a day to kick off summer activities or another day off from the office. It is a day to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

"No greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," John 15:13 KJV

Many years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Arlington National Cemetery where I was moved by the sacrifice of the over 400,000 soldiers buried there. I was a youth leader in my church and we had taken about 20 middle and high school students to Washington, DC for a summer educational trip. We explained that those buried at the cemetery had served the United States with honor and that we were there to recognize that honor by being respectful on the grounds of the cemetery. I am so proud to say that they did just that.

There was no horseplay, joking or bantering while we were at the cemetery. We all felt the weight of he sacrifice like a blanket on our shoulders. As I think about what it means to sacrifice one's life for others, I feel that weight, I also feel the love that it takes to do so willingly.

Most of us will never have to make that choice, but we do make a choice daily to serve our communities, our families and our friends. I encourage you to show love, compassion and generosity today and every day as your expression of sacrifice of service above self.

Do what you can to serve others with the gifts and influence you have. It may be the greatest gift of love that you can render and you too may be remembered for your service to others one day.