Yes, I am a fan of freedom. That is, whenever I think about it. But honestly, most of the time I take my freedoms for granted and assume that I will always be free as I am now. I think most people do. And that’s dangerous.

If you take something for granted, you begin to be careless with it, and before long, you’ve lost it. I think we as Americans are in danger of losing our freedoms not through any socialist agenda or enemy coercion, but through our own apathy. I mean, have you really paid attention to how few people actually vote anymore? It’s frightening.

But freedom is also recognizing that my truest allegiance is to a far country that is a kingdom rather than a democracy and has a King rather than a President. This Kingdom will last far beyond the administration of Barack Obama and even far beyond the rise and fall of this country.

We’re pilgrims and strangers here, citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom that cannot be shaken. There’s where our true freedom comes from. A Kingdom built on the blood of the God-Man, where we die to live and are blessed if we are poor, meek, mournful, and persecuted, among others.

I’m beginning to see that freedom means putting myself under the authority of Jesus, just as he freely submitted to the authority of the Father during His earthly ministry. Freedom really means bondage to Jesus for the rest of my life. Try putting that on a bumper sticker.

Freedom always costs something. It’s never ever free. Just because I didn’t pay the price doesn’t mean that a price wasn’t paid by someone. My salvation is free to me, but it wasn’t to God, who paid for it with the very lifeblood of His Son, Jesus.

Thank you, God, for my freedom. May I be reminded every single day of the cost involved so I who deserve death, could go free. Help me to celebrate liberty not just one day a year, but 365 days a year.

Help me to live out my freedom in such a way that my life makes Your name look great in all I do and say. May Your liberty and freedom spread over the whole world until there is no more oppression or slavery or bondage anymore.

Thank You again that I will be able to get up tomorrow and read my Bible and go to a worship service with no fear. Help me never again to take my freedom for granted.

Amen!