Memorial Day 2012

Good morning! I hope you have enjoyed the weekend. The pastor began the sermon with a reference to the original Star Trek series yesterday. Is that an inspiration or what? I know; some of you will answer with "or what". To the fans though, that is a kind of bittersweet call out. We like to hear about our favorite shows, but given that the show first aired in the 1960's we know the actors are getting a little old. In fact, a couple of the major players from the series have already gone to explore the undiscovered country. On this Memorial Day, we think of those who have gone to their graves not nearly so celebrated as the actors and athletes of our celebrity culture. The veterans of WWI are all gone; those from WWII and Korea are fast leaving this world, and more than a few Vietnam vets have passed. Those still living remember the many who did not come home at all. In these cases, the headstone in a cemetery rests over an empty coffin or nothing but soil. Sometimes we do not know the names of these fallen, but God knows the name and the place where the body rests.

A name on a wall or a headstone does not tell the story of the person. Relatives, friends, and service buddies tell of what they know to the comfort of each other. We are all comforted by what God knows. One day, I look forward to hearing the story of that unknown soldier who gave his life in a far country. I want to hear how God watched over him though the soldier was not always sure that God was there. I want to hear how Jesus came down to the sailors trapped below decks in their sinking ship as they cried out for mercy in the last moments. The story of the Marine's death that came so suddenly that the first question Jesus heard in paradise was, "What just happened?" will make an interesting tale as well. The best memorial to the fallen is to know their story. We cannot know all of those stories right now, but someday, some wonderful day in Heaven, there will be many stories to hear.

Praise God for those who gave all on this Memorial Day,
Bucky