This is a special day for those of us who live in America. It's a day set aside to celebrate the day so very long ago that independence was won for our nation. Freedom. What a wonderful thing it is! And as we stop to commemorate, we must not take for granted the symbols that loudly proclaim our freedom. Our country's flag. The Statue of Liberty. The Liberty Bell. The bald eagle. Our national anthem. The Declaration of Independence. Our soldiers.
Yet, as I think on all these things, another symbol comes to my mind. The cross on which Jesus died. Oh, how grateful I am that He would come to this earth to live a perfect life, then die in my place (and everyone's place!), and rise from the dead to conquer death! He has brought a far greater freedom - an eternal freedom - to anyone who will believe in Him.
I love my country and all that it has given me, but even more I love my Saviour for what He has done for all. It is my prayer on this day of commemoration as we think of the freedoms that were won for us that the true freedom that comes through Jesus Christ will also be loudly proclaimed, and that those who do not yet know Him as their personal, permanent Saviour will come to Him.
Happy Independence Day!
