At What Great Cost

As I had coffee this morning, I was reflecting on my freedom and just how much I have. I thought about those who helped birth and found this nation and the tremendous cost to them personally. Many of those men who declared liberty, were themselves shot or hanged. They lost home, business and family. I thought about the "Mayflower Compact" and what it said, "..for the advancement of the Christian faith". How many people know this fact?
I considered those of other nations that realized a nation of freedom was being born and came to this land to fight and many died. I considered that ordinary citizens became soldiers by simply seeing they could be free from tyrany and deciding to fight. Great Presidents led because they felt a divine call to reverence and fear God. On this 4th of July, a nation declared freedom. I want to remember that more than 2000 years ago, Jesus gave his life to bring us freedom from sin and judgement. Jesus declared us free from sin and death. Freedom is never free. When we think about freedom, remember at what great cost it was to those who gave their lives and died for you. Then, the fireworks will seem brighter, louder and they'll bring a smile to your face.