Understand Freedom -Mid Week Epistole by Jim Massey

Understand Freedom!

As we once again draw near to celebrating the birth of our great nation, I am reminded of the witness of the men and women who have gone before us in the cause of freedom. Some have been warriors on the field of battle and others may have worked behind the scenes giving strength and sustenance to all as it was needed.

We were founded as a nation upon an idea of freedom that may seem strange to some because they do not truly understand what it can mean. Abraham Lincoln once said: “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and under a just God, cannot long retain it.”

You see that is the key of freedom, the justness of a Creator God who looks at this world as the fulfillment of His love. He wanted His creation to come before Him and love and care for others. Yet, we as a people become confused and sometimes find ourselves deeply in war just like today. We create new words such as “terrorists” and “improvised explosive devices” because we cannot find words that will describe the fear and pain we find in the darkness of days shattered with pain and suffering of such depths.

I once read a wonderful statement of trust: “And I said to a man who stood at the door of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God. That will be to you better than a light, and safer than a known way.’”

That is the answer to our lives today. Putting our hand in God’s and knowing that His guidance will bring us to a new understanding of freedom. You see, there are two freedoms: The false, where we are free to do what we like, and the true, where we are free to do what we ought.

O God of the nation, come into our hearts this hour and give us strength. Let these prayers for our soldiers in harm’s way bring calmness to their hearts so they can begin to see what the cost of freedom can be. Give those of us who live in this great nation an assurance that Your Holy presence is truly guiding this land to a place where our children will love and care for all Your children everywhere. We know this is possible because Your Son came and told us that the light of the Kingdom is seen in the children. O God, bless the children. Give them Your freedom. We pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week for another Mid-week Epistle.