"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
BOOM, SIZZLE, POP, CRACKLE - THEN OH and AHH
Those are the noises at a fireworks display. The colors are blue, white, and red. Some of them are really big, some squirrely, some repetitive and every once in a while there is a dud with no light. It is a fun thing to do, to watch the fireworks.
When I was growing up, we used to walk about 7 blocks to a park and put out a blanket, and then we would wait for the fireworks. I was excited, and I mean excited. I couldn't sit still, and I just would get anxious and enthusiastic, making a nuisance of myself to everyone near us. And then it would happen, I would start to calm down, until I saw some family with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. My enthusiasm and restlessness would grow and then I would once again be disruptive and passionately irritating. I was jealous and wondered why we didn't have any KFC on our blanket.
Whenever I think of the Fourth of July, I think of Fireworks and Kentucky Fried Chicken. BUT. When I think about it as Independence Day, I think about my freedom as a citizen of America, and then I think about the freedom I have in Jesus Christ. Jesus fought for my freedom from sin. He died and set me free from the bondage of guilt - and that is something I should celebrate.
Today, I am making a choice to celebrate. Since it is July 4th, I am going to take the time to thank Him for 4 incredible freedoms.
- FREEDOM FROM GUILT - Taking my guilt on the cross.
- FREEDOM TO PEACE - Giving me a peace that surpasses all understanding.
- FREEDOM TO WORSHIP - Because of His actions, I can approach the throne of God in prayer and praise.
- FREEDOM FROM CONSEQUENCES - I deserve separation from God, and because of His actions - I am no longer bound to those negative consequences.