Devotion / Celebrate freedom — in Christ

Fireworks 

I love seeing fireworks! 4th of July! New Year's! After a ball game! After Homecoming! I love to see the bursts of colorful sparks fill the dark sky.

Fireworks can be spectacular. And the oohs and aahs of the crowd make it even better. The extravagant blazing of the grand finale is always spectacular.

Freedom and China

As I watched our local fireworks on July 4 this year, I was thinking of China. Maybe that's weird, but did you know that 99% of the fireworks we use to celebrate our freedoms are from China? The U.S. imported over $803 million in fireworks in 2022 (Statista). Does anyone else see an irony there? 

China celebrates its birth as a Communist nation on October 1 each year. Much like us, there's patriotic military displays, parades, and fireworks. Freedom means something very different there than it does in our country I am afraid.

Freedom in Christ 

316NOW shares the amazing news that the greatest freedom anyone can have is available to people in every country of the world! Sadly, too many people around the globe don't know about that freedom. It's the freedom Jesus Christ gives to everyone who trusts in him.

John 8:36 says If the Son [Jesus] sets you free, you are truly free. All who know him as the Savior of the world are truly free. It means we are no longer ruled by sin. We live free from sin's terrifying punishment. Sin no longer has control over us. The freedom Jesus gives means a blessed eternity awaits us.

That is a freedom to celebrate! With or without fireworks.

Prayer

Dear Savior, you have called us to faith and made us your children. You've forgiven our sins and freed us from its power. Help us to speak boldly about our freedom! Lead us to witness to our friends, neighbors, and acquaintances this freedom can be theirs too!

P.S.: May the next time you see fireworks in the night sky be a reminder to celebrate the freedom and liberty Jesus won for you!

By Dave Payne