For what I’m about to write I hope it is received in a spirit of thoughtfulness and love.
The years of cruel rule had to come to an end and in the most dramatic way, a nation emerged and the world from then on would never be the same.
I am of course referring to the biblical narrative of Israel coming out of Egypt. Yet my beloved cousins across the pond today are celebrating the release from their heavy British shackles. As Bill Pullman said in the movie, today they celebrate their Independence Day.
What I find so interesting is the lauding of independence. Whenever I think of independence I don’t think of 1776, I think of the first Declaration of Independence made by Adam and Eve in Eden’s garden helpfully assisted by the serpent. I think of the Prodigal Son who is assuming sole authority of his inheritance even though his father is not as yet deceased. What these scenarios have in common is that an individual asserts his independence and though it is not right, it is still allowed. It grieves the heart of God to see man take a stance of independence, yet His arms remain outstretched in the hope that one day he will see the error of his ways and at least go home to be embraced the grace of a loving father and be restored in a right interdependent relationship.
What is so baffling about lauding independence is that within the Declaration and subsequent Constitution is the real value worth celebrating – freedom. Just as there was release from unfair bonds, so it should be a time to celebrate by releasing people from the bonds that oppress them. Almost like the jubilee concept that Jesus inaugurates when He unrolls the scroll and speaks of the spirit of the Lord being upon him, so the birth of a nation in being liberated surely should be a time to celebrate liberty and truly liberating others. Even as this same Son came to set captives at liberty and even as whom he sets free is free indeed – that is indeed something worth celebrating, whatever your nationality.
Bear in mind that freedom does not mean indepndence. In the liberating sense of Christ we are now free to serve, free to give our lives for others, free to esteem others more important than ourselves. As America celebrates another 4th July, I hope they will celebrate their liberty as an opportunity to liberate and serve, just as those who have been liberated by the good news of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom use this time and all times to celebrate and invite others to experience this life-filling, joy-giving freedom.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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