Set Free
I am sure many of you have heard me say this before, and perhaps some of you can relate, but the older I get the easier it is for me to cry. The Fourth of July is approaching and two wonderful things are about to occur.
Certainly the most exciting occurrence will be me picking up my wife, Dr. Mickie Mathis, at the airport. She is flying in from the Middle East where she is currently serving as a Fulbright Scholar. She is planning on spending time with her family and I am just thrilled!
While at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga., I will likely get teary eyed by the second exciting occurrence. I fully expect the airport to be filled with young men and women arriving home from overseas where they are serving courageously in the military. Many of these young military personnel are serving our country in some of the most dangerous parts of the world. It’s my joy to shed a tear over these young people and I hope it’s yours as well.
During this Fourth of July, if you see a person in military uniform, thank them for serving this great country. When you see the United States flag waving proudly, take a moment and thank God for the privilege of living in America and for the freedom you have, which was bought at a very high price.
While you’re at it, thank the Lord for the freedom He has given you through salvation. We no longer have to abide by the confining Old Testament laws, but instead, through the Holy Spirit we have freedom once we accept salvation. We read about this freedom in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (Amplified), which says:
“But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away. 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.”
Today, walk in that glorious freedom and strive to become more and more like the Lord each and every day.
