The Ironic Celebration of Freedom

This past weekend (4th of July weekend), as a nation, we celebrated the beauty of our independence and the freedoms we enjoy as a country. There is much debate about our personal freedoms ebbing away as a nation, but we still have, for the most part, the freedom to worship as our conscience dictates.

We have the freedom to gather in the place of our choosing, with the people of our choosing, and worship the god of our choosing. For me, that means the freedom to gather with the body of Christ at my local church and to preach the Word of God—the true and living Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is also the time of year I pray more fervently for my brothers and sisters in Christ worldwide who do not have this freedom.

But on July 3rd and July 7th, I witnessed the most ironic celebration of freedom. During the summer we hold Worship on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM and Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm. This past week I witnessed the lowest attendance in worship in the past year. On July 3rd, we had zero in attendance, and Sunday, we had about half our normal numbers. Is it just me or is it Ironic that on the week set aside to celebrate our freedom, we use our freedom NOT to worship?

Oh, I understand. For some, it is a long weekend away at the cabin or on vacation, but I have discovered one thing on my travels around this great country of ours. We are thick with churches, and they are not hard to find. We even put big spires on them to make them more visible, and Google can easily find you a church. So maybe all the small towns near the vacation spots and the cabins were packed this weekend, but I doubt it.

SOMETHING TO PONDER

How did you choose to celebrate and give thanks for the freedom you enjoy?

<>< Pastor Craig