In Memory of His Death

            Today is Memorial Day in the United States of America. On this day, we Americans remember all of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

            So many people suffered so that I can have freedom of speech, religion, and so many other liberties, and so often, I forget to remember.

            I forget they are fighting.

            I forget that they bled.

            I don’t remember that their minds were damaged.

            I neglect to honor the families who lost loved ones.

            I forget when I shouldn't. They deserve to be remembered, honored. I thank them for their sacrifice. 

            But, today not only was I reminded and challenged to stop forgetting those who sacrificed for my liberties here in America, but I was also reminded to remember some other people—heroes of our faith.

            Jesus Christ died that we might know Him as our Savior and spend eternity with Him one day.

            He was hungry.

            Pain surged through His body.

            Whips ripped the skin off of His back.

            Blood poured down his bare skin.

            His lungs cried out for oxygen as they began to lose the battle for life.

            His own father forsook Him.

            Then, He died.

            All of this sacrifice was done on yours and my behalf so we can be free. Because of His great sacrifice we are no longer slaves to sin, no more do we have to feel guilt and shame, and no more do we have to die a spiritual death—we are free.

            But, how often do we forget His sacrifice?

            How many minutes, hours, and days do we live as if that pivotal moment in time never happened?

            Too many.

            Today, many people across my home country of America will be remembering those who sacrificed their lives for our earthly freedom, but, wherever you are, don’t forget to meditate on the greatest sacrifice of all.

            Many years ago, Christ gave His life. Choose to live life to the fullest as you bring glory to God. Honor Christ’s sacrifice by obeying Him and actually living in His freedom that He died to bring.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

To Be Known Is to Be Loved

           The sun scorched her skin as she trekked to Jacob’s well. She shielded her eyes from the rays of light blocking her view to make sure she’d be alone to draw water at midday. She checked to make sure nobody was coming with her—she was sick of the stares.

            No one else should have been at the well, but as she reached her destination, a man resting against the stone came into focus. Recognizing He was a Jew, she turned her eyes downward and began to draw water. Startling her, He spoke.

           “Will you give me a drink?”

           "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" she asked. 

            "If you knew the gift of God and who it was that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water," He answered (NIV John 4:4-10).

           She stood stunned for a second knowing that if He really knew her, He'd never ask her for anything, much less offer this "living water.” 

             I imagine this was something that went through the Samaritan woman’s mind as she first saw Jesus. She knew this man was a Jew who shouldn’t speak with Samaritans, much less a Samaritan woman. She was probably waiting for Him to stop talking to her because of her shameful past, but Jesus didn’t. In fact, He told her who she was (sins and all) yet loved her still and offered her new life. Jesus knew her and didn’t glare at her with judgmental glances. He simply loved her, and that love changed her life (John 4:39-42).

           We, like the Samaritan woman, are full of past failures, sins, and shame, but as Jesus offered living water to this lady, He offers us the same, freely. The truth is that Jesus didn’t tell the woman to get her life together before she could have the gift of God; He forgave her even in her sin and then, changed her life.

            We can come to Christ just as we are because “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (NIV, Romans 5:8). Know this, there is nothing you have done that God cannot forgive, and you don’t have to work to change yourself.

Come just as you are, and leave the rest to Christ.

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas