Independence Day

Tomorrow, we will be celebrating the birthday of our wonderful nation, and every year it is a celebration of the freedom that our founding fathers imagined for an upstart country. As I reflect upon their wisdom and knowledge that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, I can’t help but be drawn to what is declared in the last paragraph. It says: “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” Those who founded this country understood that there was a Supreme Judge of the world who would judge them for their actions. Everything they did was with the understanding that God was watching and they would someday give an account for what they were doing.

I love this great country and feel blessed to have been born an American citizen. I also understand that I will give an account for how I have lived my life. That is why I need to weigh every choice and decision I make knowing that I will be held accountable for those actions. When I was a young boy, I had in my life supreme authority. Yes, my mom and dad were that supreme authority, and I knew that my actions would be weighed and I would either be blessed for the choices I’d made or reap the punishment of those choices. I really liked the blessings but also came to understand that the punishment was not to harm me but to get my attention. It would point me back to the direction our family was going and I’d better stay in line with that direction. Thank goodness the punishments didn’t come along very often, but I am the man that was formed during those years of having parents who judged my actions.

As much as I love this great country, my heart grieves when I see those who have gotten away from what our founders intended for us to be. God is now a nuisance and people feel that as long as they are not hurting anyone else they should be permitted to do whatever pleases them. This is the kind of thinking that has led to the breakdown of the family, the killing of innocent children, and the idea that I shouldn’t have to work hard or be held accountable for what I am doing. What we need is a good dosage of God…through prayer, getting into the Bible, and worship we will see our hearts and attitudes change. Take a few moments and pray for our country today!