Since the 4th of July just occurred, an echo still lingers in my heart: Freedom. Our founding fathers worked hard, sacrificed so much, and envisioned a new world. Some individuals may question, "Well did they get it right?" I think that they most certainly did. However, I pause for a moment and think of what our country is currently going through. It would be haste to say that those who developed The Declaration of Independence thought that this country would not see war again, would not have obstacles or barriers to defeat. Simply look at what America has overcome: slavery, Civil Rights, multiple wars, equal rights, terrorist, and much much more.
I do have one outstanding concern about where America has come from and where it is heading. Thomas Jefferson (who wrote the first draft) and others placed the foundation of this country on God. Today...well...that foundation is slowly being replaced. The foundation is being replaced with popularity, celebrity status, fame, money, jealously, etc. This is my concern: we founded this country on God but several hundred years later we want to take that away?
I remember in ninth or tenth grade having to learn and memorizes the first few lines of The Declaration of Independence. Standing in front of the class, repeating the words (to be honest, my best friend had to help me in a few spots), palms sweating, the words simply just crossed over my lips. There was no contemplating what exactly I was saying.
"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 those are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
Re-read over the above several times if you need to. Contemplate what it really means. Thomas Jefferson, along with many others, placed their faith in God. They trusted that God would provide for this country and see it prosper. The trust in God was so deep that it has been printed on our money, stated when we make a pledge to this country, and stamped/engraved on many memorials.
To make a parallel conclusion, God has been doing what our Constitution has said since the beginning of time. HE has created us equal through HIS son. He saw that when two unequally yoked individuals join in marriage that they will face frequent trails. He saw and still sees the importance of being equal in life, marriage, friendship, relationships, etc.
God knew that we would need a Savior just like our forefathers knew we needed a strong and steady foundation. God has freed us from slavery, from oppression, from sin, from ourselves. To receive a freedom that is everlasting and makes a place for us in eternity is simple. God only requires you to do one thing...one small, simple thing: Proclaim Him as your Lord and Savior. There are no battles to fight, no wars to win to claim freedom. God will take your place on the battlefield if you will just accept Him. How AMAZING? So what is holding you back? What foundation are you still standing on? Is your foundation God or something else?
Dear Gracious, Holy, and Just Heavenly Father, I come to you tired and broken. I am worn from the many battles Satan has engaged me in throughout my life. I pray Lord that you take my place. I ask Lord that you come into my heart and cleanse my soul. I seek first Your Kingdom, not mine. In Jesus' Name I pray, AMEN.
