Yesterday the town I live in celebrated the 4th of July, complete with a parade, curb side venders, and fireworks.  I didn’t go to the towns display of fireworks.  Sometimes being in a crowd can be the loneliest place to be.  I chose to forfeit that.  Our neighbors had a firework display that was possibly better than the towns display.   All over America people are celebrating independence in various ways.

We have lost many of the freedoms our founding fathers fought to give us.  There are those who would take away more of our rights.  We still have much to be thankful for.  We have rights, freedoms, privileges and blessings that many in the world can’t even imagine.  We must be careful to never take them for granted.  Many lost their lives, and others are serving to protect those freedoms for us.  For that I am grateful, and appreciate the sacrifice they and their families have made or are making.

There is another freedom that is greater than the freedom we have as Americans.  That is the freedom Jesus paid  for with His life.  He died to free us from the bondage of sin and give us eternal life with Him.  Being born in America automatically gives us all the freedoms of Americans.  To have the freedom Jesus gives is not automatic.  It is ours, but only if we ask for it.  We must recognize we are sinners in need of a Savior and ask Jesus to forgive us.  It is up to us.

Freedom is not free.  Someone has to pay the price.  America was built on the blood of many who made that sacrifice.  Freedom as Christians was paid for by the Blood of Christ, and is of a much higher value since it is for all eternity.

I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day.  Even more so, I pray you have the freedom in Christ and know His love in your life.

mary