A Closer Walk
Freedom. The state of being free. Our Founders seemed to envision a place where each citizen could live their own life, practice and enjoy their own liberty, and pursue whatever they believed would provide their own happiness. "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 these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," from the United States Declaration of Independence.
We are grateful for the principles and precepts upon which our nation was founded. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness are among the rights which come from our Heavenly Father. "It was for freedom that Christ set us free...", Galatians 1:5 NASB. The Lord Jesus Christ has set us free. Free from what? Free from the bondage of sin. Because of the saving work of Christ on the cross, we are no longer in bondage to sin. We are free! "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another," Galatians 5:13 NASB.
As good citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven we are free to serve our fellow believers, as well as our fellow man, in whatever manner we choose. We are free to give a little or a lot, for whatever cause or ministry we may want to support. We are free! We are free to choose a church to attend and serve. We are free to participate as little or as much as we desire in the various events and ministries of that church. We are free to bless our church, our town, and our country while they in turn bless us. By the way, serving others is often a blessing to us even more than it is to those we serve.
There is a hymn “Count your blessings, name them one by one....” When was the last time we did that? And actually thanked our Lord for all that we have already received. “When upon life's billows we are tempest tossed; When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost; Count your many blessings, name them one by one; And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” (from the hymn “Count Your Blessings” by Johnson Oatman 1856-1922) The first verse of this wonderful hymn. A Pastor once asked, “Is it appropriate to ask God for something, if we have not thanked Him for what He has already given?”
“Reflect upon your present blessings – of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes – of which every man has some,” Charles Dickens. Reflect upon your present blessings. Indeed. Not least of which is the blessing of living in these United States of America. We live in a capitalist free enterprise system where anyone with an idea or product is free to offer that idea or product to the public. If it catches on they have started a new business. If it does well they have the opportunity to start hiring people and expanding. Or, they can keep it as a sole proprietorship and just do as much business as they by themselves can handle. Either way works.
Blessings abound in our country. Just look around and see how many businesses have “Now Hiring” signs posted. This indicates that each of these businesses has a positive outlook of the future. Our country abounds with opportunity and freedom. With life and liberty. And yes, even with the opportunity to pursue happiness.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!