The American
summer is bracketed with the two holidays of Memorial Day and Labor Day and
highlighted in the middle with Independence Day. We citizens of the grand old
United States make the most of these holidays as they give us a day off from
work and often make for an extended weekend free from office or manual labor.
They should
represent days of greater importance to us, however, than simply days not to
have to go to the office or the factory. They are times we need to remember the
sacrifice that created the desire to have these days set aside in the first
place.
We have just
come out of the Memorial Day weekend holiday. This day was first recognized in
the late 1860’s as a way to remember the many soldiers who had fallen during
the American Civil War. Since then the day has taken on the added importance as
a time to remember all fallen American soldiers of every military conflict. In
many instances people also use the occasion to remember and show respect for
deceased family members and friends, civilian or military.
Labor Day is
celebrated on the first Monday of September. Each year this guarantees a long
weekend to workers as a way to close what has become traditionally seen as summer
activities. The day itself is a celebration of the American worker. Originally
it was focused upon the manufacturing segment of the economy. Now it is enjoyed
by all, although I cannot remember our work on the farm as a boy being
interrupted by this day!
When we talk
about “the 4th of July”, everyone knows we are referring to the
American Independence Day of July 4, 1776 when tradition says the Declaration
of Independence from England was signed. It probably took several days for
representatives from sufficient colonies to make it a go, but the 4th
is a great day to pick as THE DAY. We wave our flag, shoot off fireworks, and
tell anybody we know who has helped us maintain our freedom, “Thank you.”
These three
holidays all refer to sacrifices Americans have made across the centuries to
make this a great nation. Families have sacrificed, soldiers have suffered and
died, and workers have marched, gone on strike, and risked losing their jobs to
earn the respect every human being deserves.
In the midst
of all this celebration and time of vacationing, we need to remember what we
believe is the real foundation for it all. God’s love for every person gives
that person a value and dignity no law, no dictator, or social pressure can
take away. Created in the image of God, every individual has the innate right
to be respected and treated with dignity. We as Americans when at our best have
fought across the generations and around the world to guarantee that respect
and dignity.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
The
foundation we recognize in the love of God was not something man created. It
was born in the actions God himself initiated. Man didn’t dream up the idea of
freedom for each man that should impact human society. God had already
exemplified that with his own actions.
Joh 3:16 For God loved the
world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him
may not die but have eternal life.
We measure
in tears the sacrifices made by our family and community members to give us
freedom and a society in which every individual can have the respect of others.
The sacrifice God made was to give up his own purity and omnipotence to carry
the weight and penalty of the sin of mankind.
That
sacrifice bought us forgiveness. It bought us freedom from the penalty of sin.
It bought us a new perspective on how we can view our fellow man. It bought us
a chance to see our value, not from the human perspective, but as through the
eyes of God himself.
