Celebrating Freedom

So I'm sitting here watching the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on TV enjoying the fireworks thanks to CBS since the rain out here kinda washed out the local fireworks. Craig Ferguson is the host, and it was mentioned that this was special for him because he recently became a US citizen. That got me to thinking how many of us take being a citizen of the US for granted. How many of us take for granted the freedoms that we enjoy here in this country - freedoms that many of our family and friends are overseas fighting to protect.

I think that one of the greatest freedoms we have is the freedom to choose. Unfortunately, when many of us choose to engage that freedom, we do so without first considering the cost and consequences of our choices. It saddens me to no end to know that we have been given so much as a society, yet we squander so much as a result of our freedom to choose. I can only imagine where we'd be if we would just make better choices.

I think, as Christians, we take much for granted as well. I am guilty of this, I will confess. I have often taken for granted my salvation - the gift of eternal life that I am assured of. And for that, I beg God's forgiveness. As Christians, we have a freedom that no one can take away. We have an assurance of eternal freedom. That is what we should be celebrating, not just today, but every day of our lives.

Today is July 4th. It is Independence Day (sans Will Smith). As Americans, we celebrate this day once a year. As Christians, isn't everyday our true Independence Day? If we believe that, let's celebrate it every day! Let's allow the world to see the fireworks of joy and peace within us. Let's give the world a reason to turn its collective eyes back to the Lord!

Let the fireworks begin!