When teaching school, I loved teaching about the Revolutionary War. I loved sharing with my 5th graders that the reason this country began was because of the desire of men and women to live in a place where they could worship freely. I loved sharing the passion men such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry had for freedom. Oh, the wisdom they had!
So as our nation celebrates 250 years of independence, we should pause to remember the courage of those who signed the Declaration of Independence. The Founding Fathers came from different backgrounds, different colonies, and even different religious traditions. They did not agree on every point of theology or government but shared a common conviction: that our rights come not from government, but from God.
The opening words of the Declaration of Independence boldly proclaim that all people “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” Those were not merely political words. They reflected a belief that there is a higher authority than any earthly king.
Throughout the struggle for independence, many of our nation’s founders recognized their need for God’s wisdom. During the Constitutional Convention in 1787, after weeks of frustrating debate, Benjamin Franklin urged the delegates to seek God’s help, reminding them, “God governs in the affairs of men.” Whether in moments of victory or uncertainty, they understood that human wisdom alone was not enough.
As Christians, we know this truth even more deeply. Nations rise and fall, governments change, and history unfolds according to God’s sovereign plan. While we are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, our greatest citizenship is in the Kingdom of God.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
This Independence Day, let us thank God for the blessings of our country and pray for our leaders. Let us also remember that true freedom is found not in a document or a government, but in Jesus Christ, who sets us free from sin and gives us eternal hope.
May we be people who honor our nation, serve our neighbors, and faithfully follow the One who is the source of every good gift.
Shine, Shine, Shine!