journey onWord with us

I think I love the nation’s birthday even more than my own.  I love everything about the Fourth of July.  I love seeing American flags flying from just about every home on our tree-lined street; I love the family gatherings and picnics; I love sparklers and fireworks displays; I love the inspiring music … all of it.  It’s also the only time of the year that I actually find value in the 300+ channels on my TV as I surf around for revolutionary era documentaries and movies.  My DVR fills up with programs it takes me weeks to watch, and some that I end up promising myself I will look for and watch next year. I own  more Old Navy flag t-shirts than I care to admit and I’ll likely catch myself humming Sousa marches several times today.

Many years ago, I had the great pleasure of serving as a part of the team that changed the saying on our church sign each week.  In volunteering, you committed to a rotation that included three months during the year.  The first year I signed up, I made sure my rotation included the month of July.  My very first July, I came up with a saying that I ended up repeating each subsequent year during the month’s first week…

faith’s document is a
declaration of dependence

The fabric of our nation’s birth is woven with the thread of strong faith.  The freedom earned with the blood of patriots was the result of our people’s collective desire for independence.  In stark contrast, the foundation of our faith has as its cornerstone, a strong statement of dependence.  I desire God, and He desires me.  I have no hope separate from the sacrifice of his Son.  Apart from Him, “I can’t” is my best, but “I can do everything …” (Philippians 4:13) when He is the one I depend on.

In a society so defined by rugged individualism, dependence is more often seen as a sign of weakness.  In my world, as a kingdom citizen, the weak shall be strong, and the meek will inherit the earth.

On this, and every Fourth of July, I celebrate my citizenship and allegiance to the great country I call home, the United States of America.  And while I call this place “my home”, my heart knows that it’s not.  My true citizenship is in a kingdom of the here and now, yet one that is not of this world.  My true King is my Creator, my God.

Father, I am thankful for where you placed me.  May I be ever grateful and mindful on this specific day for the service and last full measure of devotion that men and woman have given so I can live in a country that is free.  May I be ever grateful and mindful every day for the blood that your Son shed to redeem me and gift me complete freedom in serving others and living for you.  I boldly and joyously celebrate this day (and every other that you have numbered for me) as Dependence Day!