In just a couple of days, many of us will be firing up the grill, lighting fireworks, and digging into a slice of apple pie (or two) as we celebrate the 4th of July—Independence Day. It’s a time to enjoy family and friends, wave the flag, and thank those who’ve served in the military so we can live in freedom. In addition to our military, I would be remiss if I did not recognize our founding fathers, who also fought for our freedom.
One of my all-time favorite mini-series is John Adams. It powerfully tells the true story of the immense sacrifices our founding fathers made to establish the United States as an independent nation. What I love most about it is how it goes beyond just the big historical moments—it dives into the personal struggles, political tensions, and emotional toll that came with building a new nation from the ground up. The attention to detail, from the period costumes to the authentic dialogue (the characters speak lovely 18th-century English), really brings that era to life and makes you feel like you're witnessing history firsthand. It’s a vivid, personal look at the people behind the founding of America. If you have not seen this miniseries yet, I highly recommend taking the time to watch it. It helped me to understand in greater depth that there’s a lot to be grateful for: the freedom to worship, to speak, and to live in a country where they shaped our past and now we can help shape its future. But as Christians, we’re also called to think a little deeper, so here goes.
Are we truly living the promise of “Liberty and Justice for All”? It’s a big question—and an important one. Because while we’ve come a long way as a country, not everyone experiences that freedom equally. When tough issues like racism or poverty show up in the news—or in our neighborhoods—how do we deal with them? Sometimes we respond based on what we’ve seen growing up—learned behavior that might not reflect the heart of God. And sometimes we stay silent. But Jesus didn’t stay silent in the face of injustice, and neither should we.
It’s okay to grieve what’s broken and still celebrate what’s good. True patriotism means loving our country enough to want to see it grow and heal.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8–9
The 4th of July is meant to unite us. But in recent years, we’ve seen division growing instead. That’s why now is a great time to remember that our true identity is found in Christ.
As Christians, our true citizenship is in Heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
We love our country, but our ultimate loyalty is to Jesus. That means our values and perspectives might not always align with cultural or political norms—and that’s okay. We’re called to be different.
Loving our country doesn’t mean worshiping it. We’re thankful for our freedoms, but we know the greatest freedom is the one Christ gives.
So, we celebrate with gratitude. We celebrate with humility. We celebrate with thoughtfulness and grace and with a heart that reflects Jesus.
Let’s thank God—for those who’ve served, for peaceful neighborhoods, for freedom of worship, and yes, even for hot dogs and apple pie. But let’s also pray for those still hurting. Let’s speak up for the voiceless. Let’s work toward justice, peace, and healing.
And let’s always remember: We are citizens of Heaven, called to reflect God’s love right here where He’s placed us.
Happy 4th of July—and may God guide us as we live in gratitude, speak with truth, and love with grace.
