Greetings in Christ!
July is the month we celebrate our freedom in this country. What do we think of when we think of the word freedom? We might think of flags flying, patriotic songs, parades, the declaration of independence, and the souls who gave their lives that we can live free here in the U.S. One of my favorite movies is an old one by Frank Capra called Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. One of my favorite scenes is when Jefferson Smith says, “Liberty is too precious to be buried in books. People should hold it up in front of them every day of their lives and say…I’m free….to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn’t do that, but I can…..and my children will.”
So, what comes to mind when we think about freedom from a spiritual point of view? For many people, they can look back during their life and realize they were in prison. Oh, maybe not in actual jail. They didn’t get arrested, read their rights, handcuffed and locked up in a cell. But more in a prison of addiction, sadness, self-pity, oh poor me (I’ve been there)….angry at the world, angry at God, “How can you let this happen?” Angry at themselves saying, “What is wrong with me?!!! Well if I just take another drink, I can forget about it, at least until tomorrow morning.”
Yes, some of us have been in prison of our own making, and when I, myself, reflect back on those years, I can see when I started to realize, I can be free! I don’t have to be shackled like this. And it was when I began to ask, “Lord, what do I do? I don’t know what to do. Please tell me and show me the way.” You see, I began to knock. I began to seek. And it’s true, I might have still been a little skeptical, but the door began to open. Maybe just a crack, and I could see a liiiittttle bit of light. But the important thing is, I began to talk with Jesus. I began to talk to him as if he was right there with me, and tell him my problems. And over time I began to feel the weight lift and I also began to realize, I don’t have to be perfect. Believe me, I’m far from it. But we can be assured, God knows our journey. God knows our hearts. In Luke 12, Jesus said, “Are not 5 sparrows sold for 2 pennies? Yet, God forgets not one of them. Indeed the very hairs of your head are numbered. Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.”
So while we enjoy this season, let us remember, the source of true freedom, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Peace and blessings always!
Pastor Brian
First United Methodist Church, Hudson, MI 