Authentic Freedom
How did you celebrate Independence Day this year? Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, is one of my favorite holidays. For whatever reason, I am always in another country when this holiday occurs. This year, I was, and still am, in a country that has been ruled by several dictators over the course of the history of Argentina. That is not freedom.
Let me tell you what I did to celebrate Independence Day. Every year in whatever country I find myself I begin the day by standing at attention while I sing “God Bless America.” I reflect upon the great country we live in and sometimes, I’m not afraid to admit this, I boo hoo over the simple joy of being an American, realizing the freedom we have is worth fighting for. Many of us spent time celebrating with family and friends, enjoying a barbecue, a game of volleyball and topping off the day by watching a fireworks display. I doubt many people spent the day reflecting upon how America adopted this holiday. The Fourth of July is actually a commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1776.
Please continue to pray for me as I make my way back home from Argentina in about a week. Many of us have returned to work after a three-day weekend filled with fun and festivities. I would ask that you also continue to pray for our nation. The freedom we experience in America has come at a high cost. We still have men and women fighting on foreign soil risking their lives to ensure that America remains strong and free.
As Christians, we can experience authentic freedom as described in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (Amplified):
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.”
Walk today in the fullness of the Spirit and you shall enjoy tremendous freedom.
