4th of July - Bravery and Freedom
Two hundred and thirty nine years ago today, there were a group 56 of men who stood around a desk, about 200 miles east of here in Philadelphia. Together, they recognized the injustices that were being done to those around them. Those men could have set back and given in. Many of them were wealthy. Many were born into privilege, and if they has simply struck a deal, most of them could have led very comfortable lives. Yet, they believed in something that was much more important than comfort. They believed in principles of freedom, principles that they would use to build a nation. Those men really didn't amount to much. Compared to the British of the time, they were hardly a blip on the radar, a nasty pest. They had no real chance of defeating the British army. There was a real possibility that each of them would lose everything, end up in prison or worse. Yet, even so, they decided to sign the document that was sitting in front of them. They decided to sign that Declaration of Independence, and today, we celebrate that signing, that act that brought our country into being.
Sometimes we forget just what a risk they were really taking, that they really were stepping out into the unknown, that everything could have just as easily collapsed and fallen apart. That they could have just as easily spent the rest of their lives in comfort, or in prison. Yet, they chose, to risk everything, to stand up for what they believed in. They chose to witness to the truth, that, as they put it, all men really are created equal, that they really are endowed with their creator to certain unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They chose to stand up for their beliefs, knowing what well might happen.
Sometimes we forget just what a risk they were really taking, that they really were stepping out into the unknown, that everything could have just as easily collapsed and fallen apart. That they could have just as easily spent the rest of their lives in comfort, or in prison. Yet, they chose, to risk everything, to stand up for what they believed in. They chose to witness to the truth, that, as they put it, all men really are created equal, that they really are endowed with their creator to certain unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They chose to stand up for their beliefs, knowing what well might happen.
Today, we celebrate the anniversary of that day, and of our country. It's a day of great celebration, it's a day when we have parties, barbecues and cookouts. It's a day when, in a real way, our nation was born.
America has often been called the great experiment. If we were to look around the world, most nations are based on a common people, a common ancestry, a common heritage. America is something entirely different. Our founding fathers had the idea that they wanted to start over. They wanted to create something entirely new. We have a country founded on an ideal, freedom. When we ask, what is America really about? If we listen to our patriotic songs, there are two words that keep reappearing. They close our national anthem. The land of the Free, and home of the Brave.
Freedom and Bravery, that's what our nation was built on. Yet, today, we live in a troubled time. As we look around our nation, sometimes it can feel like things are falling apart. Benjamin Franklin once said that "anyone who is willing to trade freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both"
When we look at our faith, isn't that at the very heart of what we do as Christians, at the heart of morality. When we look at the world, we have to admit sin is very appealing. We're tempted all the time. Why don't we sin? We reject a temporary pleasure, because we want to follow God to everlasting Joy. We must be brave and endure temptation, because by choosing for ourselves rather than being led around by our desires, we become truly free.
Freedom and Bravery, that's what our nation was built on. Yet, today, we live in a troubled time. As we look around our nation, sometimes it can feel like things are falling apart. Benjamin Franklin once said that "anyone who is willing to trade freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both"
When we look at our faith, isn't that at the very heart of what we do as Christians, at the heart of morality. When we look at the world, we have to admit sin is very appealing. We're tempted all the time. Why don't we sin? We reject a temporary pleasure, because we want to follow God to everlasting Joy. We must be brave and endure temptation, because by choosing for ourselves rather than being led around by our desires, we become truly free.
Being a Christian means being willing to stand up, to be brave, to take risks for our faith. It means being willing to sacrifice the pleasure of today for the promise of the joy of everlasting life. It means taking the long hard road into building us into something more than we are right now.
When our founding fathers looked at America, they said…we can work together and build something better. They had ideals and they were willing to fight for them. What are the ideals I hold in my heart about the faith, about the world? Am I as willing to fight for those ideals as I should be? Or am I more likely to simply say, it's not a big deal, it doesn't really matter that much does it, and trade my freedom in for security. As we celebrate this Independence day, it's a good question to ask. If I had been there, would I have signed the document?
When our founding fathers looked at America, they said…we can work together and build something better. They had ideals and they were willing to fight for them. What are the ideals I hold in my heart about the faith, about the world? Am I as willing to fight for those ideals as I should be? Or am I more likely to simply say, it's not a big deal, it doesn't really matter that much does it, and trade my freedom in for security. As we celebrate this Independence day, it's a good question to ask. If I had been there, would I have signed the document?
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