Freedom
Somewhere in time, today, we celebrated July 4th
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 court battles rage as privately owned business’s fight to maintain
freedom follow their conscience, a chink in the armor of freedom appears. 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. This is why
people can suffer for their faith and still have 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 be. 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.
God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood from haitimissionary on GodTube.
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