July 4th

“Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people. We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should.” President Ronald Reagan

Happy Monday!

Many Americans are busy this week as we prepare for the July 4th celebrations throughout the country. For some, that means extra duty in the three days leading up to a long four-day weekend. For others, it might be a day off for fireworks and barbecues, then back to work on Friday. Still others may work through, as usual. For all of us, it’s a time to commemorate the freedoms gained through the painstaking efforts of many, some of which continue today.

We live in a time that is difficult, at best, and sometimes confusing. There are many considerations in our daily thought processes, and we feel pulled in many directions on issues ranging from politics to education to finances to health. Often, we receive so much mixed messaging that it seems impossible to discern our true feelings on a specific topic. Sometimes choices seem overwhelming, and we’d like someone just to tell us what to do ~ what decision to make.

Our ability to choose has been foundational since our country’s inception. Our founders believed we had God-given rights that precluded the powers of man from forcing us into actions that lacked integrity and weren’t life-giving. I think, in some ways, many of us have become apathetic to the work involved in maintaining liberty, which is a sad commentary. When we stop caring and working diligently to uphold certain standards, they can become unstable and run the risk of becoming obsolete, lacking moral character, and devoid of honor.

I found this quote from President Ronald Reagan that touched me as I considered the topic of our freedoms in the USA:

Wow! Talk about a wake-up call. Reading this prompted me to review the Declaration of Independence. I can tell you that I haven’t done that since high school. Probably the most quoted portion of the body of work is:

“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.” 

The next part is equally poignant:

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” (https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript)

I’m not particularly politically motivated, but President Reagan’s reminder seems as timely today as it was then. We might want to remind ourselves of several things during this Fourth of July. First, we are a country built on the foundation of spiritual truth. Second, our government is managed by the people, not the other way around. Third, we have a responsibility to protect our rights not only for ourselves but also for future generations.

There are a couple of passages in Scripture that are germane to this discussion:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NKJV)

“Christ has made us really free. So, stay free! Do not let yourselves be made slaves again.” Galatians 5:1 (WE)

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 1:5 (ESV)

As we enjoy our picnics, parades, and patriotic endeavors this week, let’s also take a moment to reflect on the cost of our independence. Let’s appreciate those who fought so hard to secure our happiness. And let’s do our part to ensure our children and their children will be blessed with the same freedoms. God Bless the USA!

Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda