Memorializing Christ In Your Life

Have you ever noticed how many memorials we have in our country? Now, make no mistakes, I am not being critical, but one, if they are watchful, cannot help but notice the overflow of walls, statues, fountains, buildings, and so on, that fill our landscape. Just this past year another memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., was added to Washington’s list of memorials. In Oregon a memorial was built to those from that state who have died in the war in Iraq. Memorials have been built to honor those who died in plane crashes, fought in wars, are the namesakes of towns, and so on. Each day, it seems, we find anew reason and new money to erect a new tribute to some one or a group of some sort.

Each year millions will visit these memorials. Some will simply not understand what it is all about. Others will not care. To them it makes little sense and matters little, save the many dollars that were “wasted” o the project.

Many, however, will come mourning with minds eye focused on the images of battle, faces, personalities, tragedy’s, events or the smiles and voices of dead loved ones, etched into their minds. They will feel the impact and blow! They will know of an emptiness that passers by may not comprehend. Theirs is a personal attachment in the deepest sense. To them a memorial makes sense and they are glad for it.

The difference between the two? The difference lies in the word “relationship.” Even if I can appreciate the memorial and the sacrifice or deeds attached to it, if I do not have a relationship that takes me to the inner circle of its meaning, then, ultimately, my attention wanes. If I cannot see the tie in to me then the memorial will not have the desired impact.

The same is true of Christianity, the cross and Christ. Many, either by choice or out of ignorance, see it not as a relationship, but as a book, set of laws and the mortar and brick of a building. It is something we open for causal tourists who dress nice on Sunday mornings to pay respects to just another memorial among memorials. Perhaps all they see is a price tag, social setting or sales opportunity.

Consider, in this day, these words of John. “By this we know love that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” In other words, we must remember of memorialize Christ and his sacrifice in our lives. However, it goes beyond that. We must act upon the memorial out of our loving relationship with him and love our fellow men. Therein is the heart of Christianity. In this day, remember!

Ed