Thoughts on Memorial Day


I’m a day late on Memorial Day, but that seems to be a pattern with me. I’ve managed to over schedule myself and send my personal gas tank to “empty.” The lesson there is we need to pace ourselves, even when the things we’re doing are all good!

As I reflected on the meaning behind Memorial Day yesterday, and seeing people remember fallen soldiers, something really struck me. The political affiliation of our fallen heroes is never mentioned (nor should it be). Our brave men and women in uniform who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms didn’t die for a political party. They died for a country that stands for freedom to choose which beliefs you support.

As Christians, we feel called to address those views that radically oppose and undermine our spiritual beliefs. Our levels of anger, fear, and indignation are often justified, but it leads to a great question. “How are we, as Christians, supposed to respond to this political environment?” More specifically, “How are we supposed to respond to the people we see standing in opposition to everything our beliefs stand for?” You may not like my answer.

It doesn’t include being a keyboard warrior, sporting angry bumper stickers, or chanting obscene slogans. If we’re going to respond as Christ would, we really only have one option.

We forgive them.

I’m not saying it makes them right. I’m not saying you have to agree. I’m not saying it’s easy or that it feels good. I’m saying that when we reach the end of this life, we’re going to have to account for our actions and if Jesus looks us in the face and ask if we forgave those who sinned against us, “Yes, except for people who voted for __” isn’t going to be the right answer.

We’re reaching a point in time where it’s more important than ever to realize we are citizens of God’s kingdom first and we have to surrender our fears for our nation’s future to the one who rules over all. Yes, we have an obligation to vote and yes, we need to be active in the issues of our time. We can call out evil and wrongdoing in ways that honor Jesus. However, choosing to hate those who view issues differently than we do may likely have eternal consequences for us.

Please don’t misunderstand my intentions. Stand for your beliefs and call out wrongdoing where you see. When it comes to individual people, forgiving them for their misconceptions or creeds that go against God’s word removes the hate from your heart and relinquishes their control over your emotions.

When Peter cut off Malchus’ ear in the garden of Gethsemene, Jesus didn’t cheer him on for taking a stance, He healed the soldier’s ear. Jesus’ first commandment was to love God and His second was to love our neighbor as ourself. That includes the neighbor with different political signs than yours.

Go forth in peace!

Sincerely,

Kim

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