I was looking back through my camera roll, trying to find some Fourth of July photos to share that show our incredible freedom (both in America and in Christ). But then I realized that sometimes I get so caught up in the impressive fireworks & showy sparklers that I forget what freedom truly is. Every day we live out the freedom we celebrate on July 4th.
We have…
freedom to read
freedom to worship
freedom to work
freedom to explore
freedom to stand up for causes we believe in
freedom to relax & enjoy God’s creation
….and so. much. more. We can learn, pray, laugh, travel, and live each day knowing that we can choose how to live our lives.
We can choose.
Right now I’m reading The Hunger Games (I’m waaaaaay behind on this trend I know— whoops!), and I’m struck by how little freedom Katniss and the other tributes have while in the Arena. The people from the Capitol control every element, aspect, and detail of the tributes’ surroundings, and all the poor kids can do is to do their best to survive whatever curveballs the Game-makers throw their way.
God could easily do that. He could remove our choice and only allow us to react to His choices. He could throw weird things in our lives for no other reason than for His entertainment.
He could, but He chooses not to. He chooses to give us a choice.
We can choose to follow him or to disobey. We can choose to pick up our crosses daily (Luke 9:23-24) or buy into the world’s messages of ease and comfort. It’s our choice.
With that choice comes a whole lotta responsibility, so let’s work hard and thank God for his grace & faithfulness today…goodness knows we need it!
As we celebrate our God, it reminds us to celebrate our nation. America reflects the freedom God gives His people. We can choose what to believe, where to live, what career to pursue, and what we learn. What an amazing country we get to live in!
The freedom to choose is powerful and valuable, so let’s hold it close to our hearts today. Freedom came at the cost of the lives of precious American soldiers—and at the life of our Savior.
Jesus, in complete freedom, chose you. What choices will you make with your freedom today?
xoxo,
Rissa
