Freedom

Somewhere in time, this week, we celebrated July 4^th as America’s Independence Day.  It caused me to think of freedom.  Freedom that our founding fathers fought to earn for us and freedom our soldiers currently sacrifice everything for.  Freedom is something we should respect, prize and do everything to maintain.

This week I have been feeling a little frustrated with my country.  I think we are letting our freedom’s be taken away, little by little.  When my tax dollars are used to fund things I consider morally wrong, a chink in the armor of freedom appears.  When the government imposes a mandate on religious organizations, forcing them to insure a life style they don’t embrace, the chink deepens to a crack. When you can’t speak your mind because others disagree with you, the armor develops a hole and the wearer becomes vulnerable.  I believe we should respect each other’s opinion, but we don’t have to agree, that is part of what makes America a great country. 

As I was thinking this, I remembered that even with our flaws, we still have it very good in America.  There are places in this world right now where admitting to being a Christian is a death sentence.  In some places, if you admit to being a Christian, it immediately reduces you to a life of poverty with no hope of rising above.  Speaking your faith brings persecution, suffering and often time’s death.  By comparison, my minor complaints are nothing.

To be honest, freedom doesn’t come from the country I live in, it comes from God.  That is why people suffer for their faith and still have unlimited joy.  Their freedom is found in their inmost being and radiates out from there.

John 8:32 (NIV) “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Freedom, true freedom, is a matter of the heart.  You can be free while in prison if you choose to.  You can live in a grass hut in the middle of a desert and experience freedom. The spirit of God is everywhere.  Where God’s spirit is, there is freedom.

For all of us who can practice our faith without persecution, let’s remember to pray for those who can’t.  Let us also be thankful for the freedoms we do enjoy.  There may come a time we are not as fortunate as now.

Stories Of Freedom - ignitermedia.com from ignitermedia on GodTube.