By LuAnn Edwards

Graduation, my wedding day, the birth and adoption of my children—these represent memorable days in my life, days that I look back upon with fondness. While these were all special, the most memorable was the day I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and life. Love flowed through me in a whole new way. Joy flooded my soul. Why?

On that day, Christ made me a new creature through His forgiveness. I received a special gift—Jesus and His salvation.

This past Sunday, Pastor Cook encouraged us to remember the Lord as we prepared our hearts for Holy Communion. He challenged us to look backward to what Christ did for us on the cross, to look upward at what He is currently doing in our lives, and to look forward to what He will do in the future.

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given to you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’” (Luke 22:19-20). We bring honor to our Lord by remembering as we partake of this sacred sacrament.

As I think back to the cross, I remember His body that was broken for me. He took my punishment. When I think of His blood being poured out, I am overcome with emotion; He died for me. Not only did He die, but He arose and conquered death! Through His death and resurrection, I received forgiveness and eternal life with Him.

My ongoing, personal relationship with the Lord inspires me to greet each new day with anticipation. Through His death and resurrection, I am set free from the bondage of sin. I remember where He brought me from and the gift of grace He continues to offer me. I experience freedom in Christ and celebrate that I am in Him and He is in me.

My future is bright for the Son will continue to shine! I am looking forward to an amazing time in my heavenly home. I will see family and friends who are already there and participate in a celebration of praise and worship in honor of my Lord.

Holy Communion is a time of remembrance— a time to look backward, remembering all Christ has done, a time to look upward at all He is doing, and a time to look forward at all He continues to do in those of us who have accepted His forgiveness and confessed Him as our Lord and Savior.