My husband and I married on July 3, many years ago. We spent the first night of our honeymoon at the motorcycle races (sad, right?), then watched a brilliant fireworks display the next night on the Fourth.
The Fourth of July has always been special to me because it’s the day after my anniversary and because I love fireworks. But there was a time when that was all the significance it held for me—just another holiday.
For many others, it’s the same … just another holiday, like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and even Easter. We love a long weekend or an extra day off work but forget what we celebrate.
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed, announcing the political separation of the thirteen North American colonies from Great Britain and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. This special holiday celebrates freedom.
But there is a greater freedom we should celebrate every single day—freedom from death, hell, and the grave—freedom that Jesus purchased with His shed blood over two thousand years ago. This is the greatest form of freedom a child of God can ever experience.
So, today, we celebrate our freedom as a nation. Go out and enjoy those fireworks. But don’t forget to celebrate your freedom in Christ.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and JillWellington.)
Andrea Merrell is an award-winning author and professional freelance editor. She is an associate editor with Christian Devotions Ministries and was a finalist for the 2016 Editor of the Year Award at BRMCWC and the 2018 Excellence in Editing award by the Christian Editors Network. Andrea is a graduate of Christian Communicators and was a finalist in the 2015 USA Best Book Awards and the 2018 Selah Awards, as well as a semi-finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis contest. She has been published in numerous anthologies and online venues, teaches workshops on writing and editing, and is the co-founder and regular contributor to www.TheWriteEditing.com, a blog designed specifically for writers. Andrea is the author of Murder of a Manuscript, Praying for the Prodigal, and Marriage: Make It or Break It. Contact her at www.AndreaMerrell.com.