Be Grateful for Liberty

We are getting ready to celebrate a seminal moment in our country’s history, namely the day of Independence, often simply referred to “July 4th.” For the most part, we have lost sight of the sacrifice and danger that our patriotic forefathers faced to declare independence. The holiday has morphed into a great excuse to have family and friends over and to fire up the grill. Hamburgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and fireworks are the centerpiece of our celebration. To us, this is pronouncing to the whole world that we are free enough to do whatever we want ~ to eat our favorite foods, to assemble in our own homes without interference, to take a day off of work, to head to our cabin on the lake, to swim in the hot weather, to shoot off firecrackers and light sparklers. These are all fun and fantastic festivities, but hardly represent freedom at its core. Ladies and gentlemen, freedom is not free. It costs something. In fact, it costs many people a great deal. It exacts the price of fortunes, family, and even lifeblood.

It is ironic that we see this demonstrated these days not in the U.S.A. but rather in Iran, of all places. We are witnessing an undercurrent of dissatisfied oppressed protesters stand up and refuse to be thwarted their “human rights.” They have had enough of a dictator. They have experienced enough nepotism and tyranny. They are decrying their forced silence and are demanding a fair voice in their lives. This best shows up in a political manner. The people believe that they have been ripped off and that corruption has stolen their will away during the recent presidential elections. They are not eating hot dogs (mainly because they are Muslims), or shooting off fireworks. They are preparing to sacrifice, to protest, to fight, and even to die if need be in order to be free. They are doing today exactly what our forefathers did over two centuries ago.

What are WE doing today? I would like to suggest two very simple yet profound things are appropriate for us. First, we need to be sincerely and profoundly grateful. By taking stock of the tremendous price that was paid and is still being paid for our freedom, we engender and foster a true spirit of humility and deep appreciation. This should manifest in honest and humble prayers. It should show up with grateful remembrances. It should shine with patriotic celebrations with true meaning and sincerity. We need to be grateful for our freedom!!!! Secondly, we need to support freedom efforts all around us. In this case, in the country of Iran. This will manifest itself in much the same way… by honest and fervent prayers for the protesters and new Iranian patriots. It will display by a swell of well wishing for freedom in the Middle East. It will shine as a rising tide of support for their cause, even here at home.

Let’s never forget, however, that even if the Iranians are politically free, they can never truly be liberated until they renounce their allegiance to the false god named Allah! He is no God at all. They can only be free as they embrace by faith the only God and Savior, namely Jesus Christ. Our gratitude, must be primarily allegiant to Him!!! Let’s be grateful for freedom, yes… REAL FREEDOM in Christ!!!!