I’m a little behind on the blog, but some time away from the computer, watching fireworks, enjoying family, and reflecting on freedom got me thinking.

Our forefathers wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness… We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.”

Seems simple and complicated all at once. The authors of the Declaration of Independence believed in 1776 that America was a place that should be free BECAUSE GOD HAD GIVEN LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE RIGHT TO JOY to all people.”

Many of them believed that they were free from their sins because of Jesus’ death on the cross.

Two freedoms, fought and bled for. I think about them both on weekends like this full of cookouts, fireworks, family, and celebrations.

And I remember that what I do with that freedom, those freedoms, says more about me than it does about the people who died for them. But too often, I take my freedoms for granted. I don’t use my voice to make a difference; I don’t appreciate my ability to worship where and how I want, or to speak my mind. I don’t share the good news of my forgiven-ness in Jesus; I don’t give enough thanks for what Jesus did on the cross for me.

I pray today that you would truly embrace freedom, not slavery of one form for another, not monarchy’s dictatorship for capitalistic imprisonment, not slavery from one sin for another.

“Everyone dies, but not everyone truly lives.”

What will you do today to truly express your freedoms in a way that blesses others, the way our forefathers, and exponentially more, Jesus, did?