Coming up in just a few weeks is America’s holiday- July 4, otherwise known as Independence Day. The day colonists declared their freedom from the British Empire. On that very day, the colonists made this profound and infamous statement:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Sound familiar?
Notice who they said gave them their rights? Their Creator!
In life, we are offered freedom throughout many stages and in many ways. If we behave in class and do our work, we are privileged to enjoy the freedom of recess. We are told once we graduate college, we have the freedom to pursue a wide range of career paths. Living in the United States, we are given freedom of speech- the right to articulate our opinions without fear of punishment by law.
Notice a pattern?
These freedoms always come attached to a certain requirement, or an adherence to a specific set of rules. The only true lasting freedom comes in following Jesus Christ.
“If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36
With great power comes great responsibility. “For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.”
We are called on this earth to serve. Live a life of selflessness, serving others and putting more into the world than you came into it with. It is not easy to live a life of service, and we will all fall short time and time again. The beauty of God’s love is that we aren’t expected to be perfect right now. Any shortcomings are made whole by Jesus’ resurrection.
As we move forward into a new day, keep a conscious effort to lead a life of service. Use your freedoms to serve and live for the Lord, and reap the rewards of everlasting freedom through Christ.
