Twas the Day Before Independence Day
My little apartment-entry display and the flags on my patio are minuscule tributes to the true meaning of tomorrow’s celebration of Independence Day. It took me a mere shopping spree and the time it took to display them. Nothing to compare to the high price our forefathers paid for our freedom and independence.
Three years after Samuel Adams organized the Boston Tea Party, he signed the Declaration of Independence and made this personal declaration: “We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come.”
On this Independence Day Eve, I pray that those who believe in prayer will pledge to serve our Lord and our nation as sacrificially as those whose courage made possible our independence. The best way to honor their commitment is for us to be committed to prayer to our Sovereign God to help us be obedient to His ways.
Regardless of what others do, may we pray, do our part to keep America….beautiful — in our words AND our deeds. I said it in my blog a couple of days ago, but this day I say it seriously….”If it’s to be – it’s up to me!” Of course, God has the final say, but God has ALWAYS chosen people and angels to carry out His plans.
Freedom is a gift that should never be taken for granted. I saw a report of the hundreds of thousands who are streaming from Mexico to the U.S. I think about the hundreds of thousands who leave their homeland to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” They want to begin their American Dream. Isn’t it time, that those of us blessed to be born here or immigrated here lawfully begin to appreciate these freedoms that are ours.
I am saddened when I see our flag being abused, when high profile individuals disparage our liberties and freedoms. That anyone privileged to live here could ever forget the price that was paid for us and the privilege of living in a free country.
The Bible contains many wise words about freedom, and it is a great resource for understanding the meaning of freedom and learning how to find it and cultivate it in our lives. Within scripture, there are stories about hard-fought battles and struggles to achieve freedom, as well as explanations of what freedom looks like – including from being saved from a sickness, burden, depression, or worry. Some of these messages also speak to the responsibility that comes with being free, and the work required to protect freedom.
** Galatians 5:13 — “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
** 1 Peter 2:16-17 — “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
** Isaiah 61:1 — “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.”
** John 8:36 — “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. How about you?