Pastor Dave's Blog
A Freedom Paid For
July 7, 2016
Another Fourth of July celebration has come and gone. I must admit that the 4th is one of my favorite holidays. First, it is not just another Hallmark created day (think Valentine’s) whose sole purpose is to generate marketing and commercial revenue. Second, it comes at a time when the hot days of summer are beginning to intensify and I always enjoy a day of truly lounging around while, at the same time, trying to ignore the mile-long list of things that I should be doing around the house. Finally, it brings to mind the sacrifices that were made through the years by those who defended our freedom – something I never was personally a part of. I usually spend a portion of every 4th watching movies like “Midway”, “Saving Private Ryan”, or “Patton” to help quench my fascination with events that I have only ever read about.
My nephew Andrew just recently completed basic training in the Army and is being assigned to a very strong and prestigious combat division to begin his tour of duty. He will be deployed and we must wait to see where in the world he will be going to serve our county. I tell you this because he is the first Di Raddo to serve in the military. The closest relative that we have in our family to have served was my mother’s father who was in WWII and it struck me that we have all enjoyed the blessings and fruits of freedom made possible by others through their military service. It is very difficult for me to imagine what a commitment like that requires of a person and how often they must make incredibly difficult decisions that can often literally mean the difference between life and death.
When I think of what Jesus did for me it becomes obvious to see the parallels between that and those who serve today. While the magnitude of what is and was done is not the same the end result is – the price for my freedom has been paid for by someone else. Every man and woman that serves today is making a deposit into my bank account of freedom. As we prepare to vote for a new president in November the price for that privilege was paid for by others. My decision to buy and sell goods unencumbered by anyone else is a freedom that had to be earned. If I wish to travel, live, and work anywhere I choose in this county it is because of a freedom that someone else paid for. This is why I find it very difficult to complain about the country we live in. Make no mistake we are a deeply flawed nation who desperately need the power of the Holy Spirit to change our direction. Like the words we read this past Sunday in II Chronicles 7 state we must “humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways” because it is only then that God will hear us and heal our land.
Jesus also paid a price. It was a price even greater than those who have served our country because it had eternal consequences for each and every one of us. I am very grateful to those who serve our nation and I ask that you join me in praying for them and their safe return. In the same way I ask that you join me in praying for those who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal savior – those who are not living in the spiritual freedom that has been paid for on their behalf. All a person must do to be saved is admit they are a sinner, believe in the name of Jesus, ask to be forgiven of their sins, and believe in their hearts that they are saved – and they are! That freedom is not only about the Fourth of July but every day for the rest of all eternity! God bless America and God bless you!