Clay in the Hands

Anytime I think of the 4th of July, I think of freedom – as do most Americans.  We set aside a day to think about the importance of freedom and living in a country that offers freedom to the people who live here.  It is an humbling thought to think about the men and women who have given their lives in service to this great country.  We are truly blessed as a nation.

But as I think about freedom, my mind always turns to true freedom – spiritual freedom – the freedom that God gives each of us.  A freedom of choice – a choice that we each must make as to whether to follow God or to live for ourselves.  God loves us so much that we have been given this freedom.  No one is a puppet at the end of God’s strings.  We each have the freedom to choose to worship and follow God or not.

But freedom is a two-edged sword.  Freedom is a gift that we must never take for granted but it comes with responsibility – we must choose.  Our parents can’t make the decision for us.  It is a personal, individual decision that each of us must make.  It is not just a decision to claim to be a Christian – it is a commitment to give everything you have and are to God and live in such a way as to carry out God’s plan of drawing others to God’s kingdom.

By not making a decision, we have chosen.  I pray that this 4th of July will be a reminder for each of us that we must make a conscious decision to live for God daily.  You are completely free to choose – what is your choice TODAY?