Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
I love learning mew things about Scripture and history in general especially around holidays. And the closer we get to our the 250th birthday of our nation learning more about how God intervened in so many different ways to keep us being an amazing country that influences the entire world.
No matter how many times I hear the accounts of God showing up in battles, or how prayer not only changed the direction of wars and conflicts, but gave wisdom and discernment to our leadership that set us apart from other nations I never tire of them. And it makes me wonder how so many Americans are having a difficult time seeing not only that we are blessed, but that we are to be a blessing to the rest of the world.
As I sat and thought about it, the fact that we are almost 250 years old kept coming up and then the light dawned, the longer way we get from an event, the less details we remember about it. This is simply because what we “know” about it becomes to general and common. To the point that we really don’t remember anything about it well. Case in point when people on the street were ask where the Declaration of Independence was signed, they didn’t know! And one person didn’t even know why we celebrated the 4th of July!
That’s why so many truly don’t understand what freedom is or how important it is to a nation. Most of us don’t know what it’s like not to have freedoms. But we’re beginning to find out with all the limitations that we experienced during and right after Covid. And what we often don’t think about, being forced to accept and participate in things we don’t agree with. And then it happened, people began to actually say “we’re losing our freedoms!” And once again it became very precious. And where did we first learn about the importance of freedom and liberty? From the Bible!
Beloved of God, it’s time for us to remind people not only about freedom, but what it costs. In Scripture it cost Jesus His life and in our nation, it cost those who were and are willing to defend it their lives. We also need to remind them wherever the Gospel has gone, lives are transformed and freedom follows. Let’s start by being respectful, especially of those we disagree with and extend to them the freedom to think and believe differently. But then pray for them that they may turn to Jesus and accept His salvation. So that they would know what true freedom is and will want to share it with others too. May our 250th birthday next year be celebrated with a truly united spirit, one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all!
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