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It is amazing, but we are already at the end of June. June was great, but everyone is looking forward to the end of this week and our giant semiquincentennial celebration. That’s right, America turns 250 years old this weekend. And to think many of our forefathers thought this republic would be lucky to last 20 years.

We have certainly had our ups and downs, but we have made it through by standing together when the going got tough, and because of the brave men and women who have given their life so all of us can have the freedom to celebrate 250. This weekend there will be cookout after cookout and some of the biggest fireworks displays ever. Some may consider that frivolous, but it doesn’t happen without the freedoms we enjoy.

We haven’t always seen eye to eye, but most people that reside in this country realize how fortunate they are to have the freedoms we do. Of course, we could talk for days about what our greatest freedom is, but no surprise here, I feel it is our freedom of religion. If you look around the world and see how many people are not able to worship as they wish, it’s a wake-up call of how lucky we are. In fact, probably many of us take that freedom for granted like we do so many other freedoms.

“In God we trust” still matters here; not for everyone, but for many. This religious freedom we have allows us to explore the amazing freedom we can find in Christ. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed – John 8:36. Freedom in Christ goes even further than the freedom we enjoy here on American soil. Freedom in Christ assures us of some things that we may not often consider, but maybe we need to.

Don’t be a lemming

Although the lemming myth of blind following is not true, the saying has survived in our culture. It absolutely fits here, as Christ has given us the freedom to not be a lemming. We want to fit in, to do what the crowd does; we don’t want to be alone, so we do what everyone else is doing. `

So often the world looks for something to satisfy their soul, and they want us to chase after it too. It may be money, power, or doing whatever makes you feel good for the moment, but if you are a believer, Jesus has given you what can satisfy your soul. He has set you free from trying to find it elsewhere.

Interestingly, that lemming myth was caused by a Disney nature film in 1958. Filmmakers looking for a dramatic scene pushed lemmings off the cliff and to their death. Horrible, right? But we also have someone working against us who would love nothing more than to push us off a cliff. Satan doesn’t want you to realize you’re free in Christ, and will do everything he can to cause you to stumble, fall, or follow whatever will do you in.

Hope is not a wish

In our world today, hope has become synonymous with a wish. I hope the Blues win another Stanley Cup. I hope she says yes. I hope I get this job. That kind of hope is predicated on a circumstance that goes your way. That isn’t really hope, it’s a wish made upon a star or some birthday candles. Freedom in Christ gives you real Hope. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit – Romans 15:13.

This piece of scripture makes it clear that hope is a characteristic of God. It is part of His essence. Trusting in Him gives you the freedom to have real hope. The hope that tells you through His word: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future – Jeremiah 29:11.

That doesn’t mean that everything in your life will work out the way you want, but it does mean you have a hope in the character of Jesus Christ. He provides you with the freedom to hold on to Him, and He will get you through any storm.

Eternal is a long time

In his popular 1984 hit, Let’s Go Crazy, Prince tells his listeners, “Electric word, life. It means forever and that’s a mighty long time…”. Great song (I can give you that whole beginning word for word if you want), but we all know that particular line isn’t true, unless you put the word eternal in front of life. If you add eternal to it, that is another freedom Christ secured for you with what He did on the cross.

John 3:16 is well known, so here is another John verse. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand – John 10:28. If you trust in God, you have the absolute freedom to know that Jesus has ensured your eternal life through his sacrifice.

Eternal is forever, a mighty long time, and you have the freedom to know that as you leave this world you will spend eternity with Him. An eternity of painless peace and joy. That’s a freedom that no one ele can give.

So as you munch on your hot dog, take a dip in a pool or lake, and ease back in your lawn chair to watch some colorful rockets explode, thank God for these freedoms He has given you. And then thank a veteran for helping secure this great nation that gives you the freedom to thank God. Until next time…