Tomorrow is Independence Day, and let me tell you, I’m excited! The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. I proudly declare my patriotism and love for what I think is the best country in the world.
Some things I have been considering lately, however, are the parallels between the United States of America and Christians. Here are a few for you to mull over:
- America, like Christians, is held to a higher standard—and like Christians, our great country fails at times. We don’t get it right all the time. America didn’t get it right on some things from the beginning. When it comes to slavery, there is nothing more despicable than one human claiming ownership over another, over differences in pigment in their skin. We still don’t get things right today with political decisions on both political sides. Financially the amount of debt our great country is in is extremely troubling, and I believe all parties are in some way responsible for that amount of debt. Thankfully, God is a God of mercy and grace, and He provides ways out of our mistakes and wrong doings even in the most deplorable and seemingly hopeless situations. If only we look to Him…
- America, like Christians, has freedom—Our great country was established on the principle of freedom. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech and so many more freedoms that we often take for granted. There is often talk that America isn’t as free as it claims to be. This falls on deaf ears for me. Americans freely worship who we please, Americans freely scrutinize the leadership in our country. Americans live freely, however they choose to live. Americans dress freely, eat freely, among many others things. We have liberties that people around the world would only be so fortunate to experience. We should be grateful of these freedoms.
- America, like Christians, has sacrificed greatly to be where it is today—“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Many men and women have sacrificed their very lives in order for Americans to live as freely as we do today. The bravery and love that it takes to voluntarily put oneself in harm’s way, so that not only their loved ones, but total strangers could be safe, is one of the greatest sacrifices any one man or woman could make. God made an even greater sacrifice when He sent His only Son to die that we might be able to join Him for all eternity one day. Jesus made a sacrifice. He laid down his life for us. This sacrificial love is the greatest love the world has ever known.
I encourage you to think about the freedom we have not only as Americans, but the freedom we have in Christ as his children. All forms of bondage and captivity were broken when he shed his own blood for our gain. What a privilege it is to call myself both an American and a daughter to the King of Kings. This Independence Day, and every day, I thank the Lord He allowed me to be born in this wonderful country that I love. God Bless America!