Living Free
It’s July.
Cue the fan fare, sparklers and matching red, white and blue outfits for the family.
Fire up the charcoal (if you are a purest griller), slap some meat on the metal grates and enjoy all the tasty sides that come with a good barbecue. Don’t forget the homemade ice cream!
Or what about splashing around in the pool and laying in the sun like a lizard, soaking up the rays? Does it get much better than listening to the joyous, melody of laughter floating on the breeze, as you relax and wait for the last, glow of sunlight to leave the atmosphere, transforming your surroundings into a black canvas, ready to be painted with bright, bold colors of exploding light.
Ahhhh… July 4th.
Each year, we come together to remember the momentous occasion that sealed the fate of our great nation. On July 4, 1776, we adopted a writing we know today as the Declaration of Independence. With this piece of parchment paper, we defied British authority and claimed the right to think and govern for ourselves.
The pages of many a calendar have flipped since that monumental day for our United States. As a nation we have had grandiose highs, and calamitous lows. We have danced, mourned, laughed, cried, rejoiced and lamented as a people, in our short history of a little over 200 years.
Still, we remember and I pray, we are grateful. With all our faults, numerous men and women gave their last breath, so you and I can live free. Let us not mar the memory of these great patriots, by taking for granted the liberties we hold.
But even more important, may we hold fast to the knowledge, it could all disappear like mist in the wind. If history has taught us anything, it shows life is unpredictable and unexpected. (Dare I mention 2020?) Comfort has a way of lulling our senses into a fuzzy haze, leaving our thoughts caught in an ever present utopia.
Gratitude; however, demands reflection.
You cannot be thankful for something, without first remembering what occurred, to cause such emotion to be planted within your heart in the first place. We see this demonstrated often within scripture, when the children of Israel would build an alter or set stones at a particular site, to remember the faithfulness of the Lord. They are referred to as their “Ebenezer Stones”. (Stones of remembrance)
Whether it was from a victory in battle, or an earthly encounter with the Divine, they understood the importance of keeping the events fresh and relevant in their minds; so when the next calamity struck, they could be encouraged with the knowledge, if God did it once, He could do it again.
As they traveled from land to land, their children could point to the pile of rocks and ask, “Father, what are those for?” What a beautiful way to pass down legacy. We can do the same in our modern day, as we gather to celebrate the accomplishments of our great country. Tell your children and your grandchildren what it took to achieve the fruits of freedom they enjoy today.
Thank a veteran for their service to our nation and bless the families whose loved ones never returned from duty. I am grateful for my father-in-law, who served bravely during Vietnam. I know there are many, horrific images he will never be able to wash from his dreams, and emotions that still weigh heavy on his heart, from the loss of fellow friends in arms.
The American flag is an Ebenezer for our nation, but there is another, that is greater than any monument we could erect. Over 2,000 years ago, a man came from Galilee, Who would change the course of history like no one before Him, nor none after. He would bear a cross on a hillside called Golgotha, the most magnificent Ebenezer to ever be fabricated.
Dear friends, the greatest freedom you will ever receive, comes from the blood of Jesus Christ. This is a freedom that is everlasting, unchanging and irrevocable. “All have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) and that sin enslaves us to the darkness and rulers of this world. (Romans 6:16-17) You might be thinking, “I don’t feel entrapped and ruled by anyone? I am the master of my own destiny, what you say is nonsense.”
Do not be deceived, you make a terrible god, and this form of prideful, control will always lead to destruction. I thought the same, at one point in my life. I can do as I please, carve my own path, and yet, I still felt empty; completely hollow. One poor decision after another, landed me on the floor of my bedroom closet, crying out for rescue. He heard and I accepted His outstretched hand, which still bear the nail scars.
I cannot adequately express how my life has changed over the years, since I decided to surrender to the Lord. Everything I previously believed was a lie, and I had to reprogram my brain to remove toxic thought patterns. Enter, the Word of God.
Once I began meditating, researching and devouring each book of the Bible, little by little, the weight I had been carrying for so long, began to fall off. Colors of the world became more vibrant. Emotions that once smothered me, were replaced by waves of joy and gratitude. But the greatest benefit to the freedom I found as a Christ follower, was peace. The gentle, quiet that flooded my soul is like nothing I can describe with our English language.
Every area of who I was, was transformed and continues to morph into the woman I was created to be. The woman, the Potter crafted from the foundation of the world. The masterpiece Satan tried to warp, crack and destroy, has been recrafted into an amazingly, lovely vessel, which carries the glory of the Lord. Don’t misunderstand, dear friends, my adornment does not come from outward beauty; but from the One Who lives within me.
He makes all things glorious.
Every color is complimented in His presence and blended to perfection.
Each curve and shape fit perfectly, flawlessly seamless.
There is no other Craftsman who can compare.
Though the transformation takes a lifetime to complete, while in the skillful hands of the Master, there is peace beyond all measure.
This is total freedom.
It should be shouted from the rooftops and proclaimed in the streets. Remind everyone, the battle over sin has been won! We have a treasure and gift like no other, handed to us by Jesus Christ.
Just as it was offered to me and so many others, it is offered to you as well. If you would like to discuss more about salvation, please reach out from my contact page and I would be happy to have a further conversation.
So, as you prepare to enjoy the holiday festivities this Friday, pull out those stones of Ebenezer from your memory. Reflect on why this country is wonderful and how we got here. It’s ok to celebrate the victories we have achieved as a nation, even when there is work still to be done.
More importantly, for those who are sons and daughters of the Most High God, stop and remember the price it took for your eternal freedom. Actually, don’t wait until Friday, do that daily. The sacrifice of the cross, is something that we must keep always at the forefront of our minds. Then pass the legacy on, and tell someone about the good news of the gospel.
