Happy Fourth of July

Today is one of my favorite holidays of the year.  We will be spending our first 4th here in California at the home of some new friends. I love this great nation and for all she embodies, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  This is what the American Dream is all about.  Having the freedom to live out what you feel you were born to do.  It's a dream that allows the poor to become rich, the obscure to become famous and the captive to be liberated.

This freedom is foundational to all Americans, and was the basis of our government from its inception.  This freedom is best seen when people help others.  America is know as the greatest benevolent nation in the world.  Because helping others be free from tragedy and tyranny, and allowing them to share in one of the world's single greatest gifts is what freedom demands us to do.  

However, in order to really be free one must become a prisoner.  Like the prophet Zechariah said, "O prisoners of Hope.." (Zech. 9:12).  And isn't that what has caused this great Nation to weather storms and battles: hope.  In America, the land of the free, we are and have always been "prisoners of hope."  We can make the world a better place, help the needy, assist the elderly, love the downtrodden all while offering them something they can't see for themselves in their current condition, hope.  

And this hope was prevalent when our founding fathers left the most prosperous nation in the world and declared our own independence.  This kind of hope is only truly found in Christ.  Paul wrote to the Colossians about this hope in Christ being alive in them (Col. 1:27).  And this kind of hope does not disappoint us (Ro. 5:5).

So this Fourth of July, take a moment to remember where real freedom comes from and not only celebrate our Country's independence, but your own in Him.