Being July 4th, most of our friends from the US will be celebrating what happened in 1776. After years of unease with being ruled and taxed from Westminster, and the campaign of 'No taxation without Representation', and a bloody conflict, the famous Declaration of Independence was signed on 4th July.
King George III and the British Government took a different view, and lamented the loss of the Colonies!
Our culture values independence and encourages people to strive for their own self-determination. But as another thought runs through my mind.
St. Paul reminds his readers, in the context of a discussion about slavery, that all of us were called to relationship with God, through Jesus. 'Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.' (1 Corinthians 7.21-23)
Far from trying to live lives independent of God and his rule and will in our lives, we are called to be his willing slaves. As St. Augustine observed, 'His service is perfect freedom.' I shall remember to thank the Lord for this precious gift of freedom, as I seek to live dependent upon Him today.
Best wishes,
Richard
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