Independence Day

While I am not a big fan of celebrating the 4th of July in a worship service, I am still red, white, and blue to the core.  And even though it might be tempting to preach the holiday, preaching the gospel is more important.  The church's mission is not to glorifiy the country, but to glorify God.  There are times when it seems we get it tangled up and make the celebration of a secular holiday more significant than the opportunity to celebrate the power of the risen Christ in our midst.    

I am grateful to be an American.  I know that our nation has not always manifested perfection in social issues, nor has it always reflected the values inherent within the gospel.  I do not make excuses for our national failures, but neither do I carry such a spirit of condemnation that the good of who we are as a nation cannot be celebrated.  We are not a nation without problems.  But, we are still a nation made great in its striving for the freedom of its people.   

Independence Day gives us a moment for pausing in gratitude that our flag still waves over a people who are the recipients of many blessings.  It gives us a moment to pray that the values of faith in our Creator will guide us as we move into the future.  It give us a moment to wave the flag, remember our heritage, give thanks for those whose lives have been sacrificed for the cause of freedom, and to ask God to bless our future with grace instead of what is deserved.