Tomorrow is the 4th of July, 2008. It is the day when the Declaration of Independence was read in public, having been signed on July 2. Having seen parts of the HBO mini series, John Adams, I saw what he gave up in service to his country: his health and his family just to name two. He was an incredible orator, statesman and man, though at times I think he did not make the best politician, but I can’t fault him for that.
As I was considering whether or not I would post something about Independence Day, I was listening to Kristy Lee Cook’s version of Anyway that she performed on American Idol this past season. I remember watching Martina McBride sing the song last year on Idol and was overcome by emotion (though I must say I like Cook’s ending better than McBride. The background vocals add so much to the song). I understand the song to challenge us to not let our fear of the future determine whether we live our dream or accomplish who we were created to be.
As I listened to that over and over this morning, (yes, I really do love that song) I began to think about those who risked it all for a dream 242 years ago. Men with names like Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Hancock. I love the stories of Revere and Patrick Henry. These men put themselves, their family, and everything they owned on the line to see the dream of self-government come to fruition. And I am thankful for their sacrifice and their inspiration.
Yet I have to believe most of us struggle with with living the very dream those men should inspire us to live. I know I’ve lived for most of my life afraid of the future. I struggled to take risks because I was afraid of failing. But over the past 18 months, I have come to understand whose I am in a way that I could never understand before. I am a son, a friend, and an heir of the Father who loves me and who risked everything He had for me so that I could be in a perfect relationship with Him. I have always known (reasoned) that was the case. But over the past year, I have experienced it in a real, emotional way. I am taking risks that I would never have taken. Fear doesn’t make me think twice anymore. There is a freedom that I have never felt before.
So for all of those who read this blog on a regular occasion, I first want to say thanks. And I hope you have a safe and joyous time with family, friends, and fireworks. But my Independence Day post is really a prayer, that you could be free to understand, truly experientially understand, whose you are. I also pray that you would be able to live your dream, that you would take risks, and not let fear bind you from living how you were created to be. I pray you can be free to be you.
I leave you with Martina McBride singing “Anyway” from the 40th Annual Country Music Association Awards in November 2006.
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