Today is Memorial Day, first observed May 30, 1868. It is a day to honor the nation’s armed services personnel killed in wartime. Unfortunately, Memorial Day has lost some of its meaning. While there are still a few parades, and veteran’s groups decorating the graves of fallen comrades with flags, most Americans view this holiday as the beginning of the fun summer season. It’s all about camping, picnics, and just having a great fun-packed three-day weekend.
As I thought about the change in the way most Americans celebrate Memorial Day, I also thought about the change in the way some American Christians think about their journey here on earth. Early Christians recognized that this world was a foreign land, Peter said, “I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires which war against your soul” and “live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.” [I Peter 2:11, 1:17]
We are strangers, pilgrims, and sojourners, in an alien hostile land. The world is a battleground. Choices must be made constantly to live for the holy, the good, the right, and not to succumb to the influences of compromise, evil, and apathy.
But have we forgotten the admonition of living as pilgrims in a foreign land? A. W. Tozer said: “In our day, the interpretation has changed completely. We are not here to fight, but to frolic! We are not in a hostile foreign land; we are at home!” [A.W. Tozer, “Renewed Day by Day, Volume 2]
Christians, be on your guard, we are here to war. Our time to frolic will come when we gather around God’s throne to celebrate the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb. For now, Pilgrim, remember your duty!
