Independence Day

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

We did our traditional Fourth of July – popcorn and watching Independence Day.  I love the speech the President gives near the end of the movie to encourage the pilots as they’re about to face the aliens in the battle that will determine humankind’s fate.  “We’re going to live on; we WILL survive.”

About that time the fireworks went off (not in the movie…in our neighborhood).  Gracie the Wonderdog immediately began shaking like an 8.5 earthquake.  It seems the sounds of freedom are a little too scary for our dog.

And that’s true of spiritual freedom as well.  The human tendency is that it’s easier to have someone else in charge of making decisions.  Why else do we elect charismatic leaders, strong leaders who will make us feel safe and prosperous?

Paul’s statement to the Galatian believers was “stand firm”.  Well, you can do that together with others, but it can’t be done for you.

In the storms of life, both political and spiritual and personal, stand firm in the faith God placed within you.