Blessings on this wonderful day of celebration. Soon I’ll be off to enjoy a barbecue with dear friends about 1-1/2 hours away. There had been talk of rain earlier last week but the sun is shining now. It’s going to be a beautiful day.
Yesterday at church as part of our worship we sang patriotic hymns. America, God Bless America, America the Beautiful. While I’ve sung these songs since my youth, for years I hadn’t paid close attention to the words. Usually we’d only sing the first verse or two. I didn’t realize the deep spiritual and Scriptural basic of these songs. Yesterday I sang them with more passion that I’d ever sung before. These songs are prayers. They speak of gratitude and honoring God for our nation. Our heritage. We can help standing a little straighter when we sing the words. At least I couldn’t. I felt humbled. Proud. The very words themselves remind me that this country was built on a foundation that acknowledged the Lord God as our creator.
When I was a kid, I understood our freedom to a certain degree, at least intellectually. But I didn’t really get it. I didn’t see how people lived throughout the world. All I ever heard was “Finish your dinner. Think of the starving people in Africa.” I had no idea that our blessings extended far beyond the rich physical resources we enjoy. There may be those reading my blog who were not born in this country. I was. I didn’t deserve to be but here I am. How I thank God for that.
For me, the 4th of July for too many years was more about food and fireworks—a day off from work—than thanking God for the freedoms I enjoy. Maybe it’s because I’m older now, maybe because we’re at war. Part of it to be sure is because I see our country’s freedoms slipping away. What’s with all the fighting about the Ten Commandments being posted in public places? How is it that we’ve strayed so far from Truth, that we think we’re gaining freedom all the while, we’re losing it? We’ve gotten this whole “Separation of Church and State” issue so turned around we seem to think that our highest goal is to have not a freedom of religion but freedom from religion. Our forefathers could not have dreamed that we would twist our Constitution in such a way.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 53:1)
God has been reminding me lately that freedom is so precious it cannot be fought for just once. We need to keep fighting for it. It doesn’t just happen. Righteousness never just happens—not for a nation nor for an individual. If we want to act rightly, we need to purpose in our hearts to do so. And this can never happen on our own. It happens only as we receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We just don’t have it in ourselves.
Yet the wonderful thing about God is that with each day is a fresh start. And actually, fresh starts happen by the second if we choose to look to God. He wants to continue to bless the United States of America but He expects something from us, too. He expects us to acknowledge Him as the Creator of this incredible country. He requires a heart of gratitude. Does He not deserve this? Absolutely He does!
And isn’t our birthday the perfect day to start? I think so. Reflection should accompany our celebration. As I enjoy the fun and fellowship of this day, I want to remember our soldiers serving throughout the world and especially Iraq. I want to remember the families who are experiencing their first 4th of July without their loved ones because he/she died this year in battle. In short, I want to be mindful of why we are celebrating. Cultivate in me a grateful heart, Father, I pray.
Can somberness and joyfulness and a light-hearted attitude co-exist? Of course, it can!
Have a terrific day. And don’t forget the sunscreen!
“Thus may the 4th of July, that glorious and ever memorable day, be celebrated through America, by the sons of freedom, from age to age till time shall be no more. Amen and Amen.” (the Virginia Gazette on July 18th, 1777)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 10:10)