Living Memorials

*I wrote the following post last year for Catalyst Ministries and thought I'd re-post,  here.  Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

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Living Memorials
Time to read: 3 min.

On this, the 46th anniversary of the recognition of Memorial Day, we pause to reflect. The brilliant Flag furls red, white, and blue in crisp compliment to green grass and white lawn furniture. Solemn ceremonies, drill teams and patriotic parades bring significance to a weekend of gatherings, sizzling BBQs and the official kick-off to Summer.

For many people across our country, this day; originally known as "Decoration Day", holds distant memories of the legacy of heroism in our past. For contemporary military friends and families however, the sharp newness of loss casts a painful reality on the rows of white crosses.

For unlike Veteran's Day where our armed forces are recognized for their valor in service, Memorial Day recognizes the men and women who have given the ultimate self-sacrifice; giving of their very lives.

Memorials are so much more than a name etched in stone. Memorials attempt the impossible; to  encompass a life that was well-lived and worth remembering for the difference made on behalf of others!

But what can be said to embody the heroism of a firefighter running into a burning building while others are running out? What mere words illustrate the men and women who drew their last breath without ever leaving the battlefield?

Authors, poets, politicians and theologians have long labored over fitting tributes to a sacrificial life. Perhaps General George S. Patton said it best when he admonished, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived!"

Self-sacrifice is something we all admire in the lives of others, but it's easy to forget that we also are leaving legacies with our lives! What will be said of us after we die?

Will our lives have been lived only for ourselves or will they be poured out for others?
The highest tribute of self-sacrifice is personified in Jesus Christ.
If we truly desire to be Christ-followers, we will follow His example in life and ministry here on earth!

Jesus consistently cared for the poor; this frequently included marginalized women. He loved underappreciated children and offered hope to failing hearts. 

He demonstrated the supreme sacrifice when He gave His life up for us on Calvary, then rose again to serve as our ideal of a living memorial.

John 15:13: "Greater love hath  no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

As people with freedom and power, we feel it is our God-given responsibility to use that freedom and power to help those who have no voice, no power, and who live without freedom!

Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs us to "speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

At Catalyst, we know our ministry isn't an easy task. Serving women and children from difficult situations is hard work! Reaching out to those who have been traumatized by sexual slavery is emotionally draining. Operating our Catalyst Farms can be financially challenging.

It may even be considered by some to be unsafe.

But so is living our lives solely for ourselves.

In Romans 12, Paul urges, "Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship..."

Will you consider serving along side of us here at Catalyst Ministries? There's a place for everyone who desires to live life as a living testimony - a memorial - for God's grace and mercy in their lives.

We only have one life on earth to spend for Jesus!