Daniel Rose: The Pastor Next Door

“You’re either with us, or against us.” This sentiment has been expressed by countless world leaders throughout history.

What comes to mind when you hear that phrase? For me, it’s Joshua asking the “commander of the Lord’s army,” “Are you for us, or for our enemies?” Others might recall President George W. Bush or then-Senator Hillary Clinton using a similar phrase after 9/11.

Every fall in Michigan, there’s what’s known as “hate week.” This is the one week a year when families are pitted against each other. On one side, you have the Maize and Blue; on the other, the Green and White. The week of the Michigan/Michigan State football game is always marked by heightened tribal loyalty. There’s mostly good-natured teasing and many stories shared about past games. Nearly everyone chooses a side.

This week, as we approach Memorial Day, our New Testament “word of life” is simply life. It’s fitting, perhaps, that as we honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, we also reflect on what it truly means to live. While it might seem strategic to drop the word “life” on the Sunday before Memorial Day, sometimes, the divine calendar just works out!

Memorial Day is a complex day, isn’t it? It’s solemn, as we remember profound sacrifice, yet also a time of quiet rejoicing, knowing that lives were given so we might live freely and fully. This annual observance reminds us that life is costly and demands much from us.