Mourning the Lost

             Yesterday was Memorial Day, a national holiday set aside to honor and mourn those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  Flags adorn the graves of fallen soldiers in many National Cemeteries on that day.  Over the years, it has also become a time when families remember their own losses, veterans and otherwise.  Many can be seen placing flowers on their loved ones’ graves.  It is also a time of thanksgiving for those who fought and died so that we could be free.  We all know that freedom isn’t free, but this special day is set aside to remind us of that truth.

            Every Sunday, we set aside time to honor and mourn the sacrifice of our Savior, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.  There are no flags to fly or flowers to show our remembrance.  It is a simple piece of bread and a small cup of grape juice, signifying His body and blood that were shed for us.  Like Memorial Day, it should be a solemn moment as we reflect on the price that was paid for our freedom from sin. Our salvation isn’t free; we were bought with a price (I Corinthians 6: 20).

            There is no special day set aside to mourn the death of the thousands who die every day without knowing the saving grace of Christ.  According to the Joshua Project, there are over 7,000 people groups who are unreached.  That is over 3 BILLION individuals who may die without ever hearing the Gospel message!  That is a reason to mourn, but more importantly, that should be a call to action. 

            We have days set aside for prayer for our nation, prayer for the persecuted church, and prayer for the unreached, but how many of us make those needs a focus of daily prayer?  The fields are white for the harvest and Christ has told us to go.  The battle for these souls is greater than any battle this country has ever fought.  It is a battle that we can win, with God’s help. Prayer for the unreached should be the passion of each one of us.

            As we pause to remember the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf, let’s act to ensure that those 3 billion people won’t be eternally lost.  Mourning them won’t change a thing.  Taking the Good News to them will.  Go, send, and pray! Now!  Tomorrow may be too late.

I Corinthians 6: 20 & Matthew 28: 18 - 20

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