Today is Independence Day!

The story of America’s birthday is a familiar one. After a two-year struggle to work out their differences with England without going to war, representatives from the 13 colonies had gathered in Philadelphia to compose a formal declaration of independence. The first draft, written by Thomas Jefferson, was presented to the Continental Congress on June 28. After numerous changes, a vote was taken late on the afternoon of July 4^th. Of the 13 colonies, nine voted to adopt it, two voted no (Pennsylvania and South Carolina), and New York abstained. With a decided majority, the document was adopted as an official communication to King George that freedom from British rule had been declared throughout the land.

The principles of freedom that we have come to enjoy as Americans were set forth in this document with these stirring words: “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.” Because of the vision of our founding fathers we enjoy many freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press.

As Christians, we also have been called to live in freedom. But just as our freedom to live in this country comes with responsibilities, so too does our freedom in Jesus. Being free doesn’t mean that we can do whatever we wish whenever we want. That would make us slaves to sin and making wrong choices. Rather, we are free to do right and to honor God by serving others. We can express our freedom in Jesus by loving and serving others daily.

For you have been called to live in freedom—not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13, NLT).

To Do

As you enjoy the day’s fireworks and festivities, think of all the many freedoms you enjoy.

Also on this day . . .

1802—The U.S. Military Academy officially opened at West Point, New York.

1817—Construction began on the Erie Canal to connect Lake Erie and the Hudson River.

1872—Calvin Coolidge, the 30^th President of the United States, was born in Plymouth, Vermont.

1886—The first rodeo in America was held at Prescott, Arizona.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).