It is time to celebrate Fourth of July, Independence Day, the birthday of America.
Tis the season of fireworks here in the U.S. of A. It’s nearly impossible to drive down any major road without finding several purveyors of explosive finery. During this time of year, abandoned businesses and empty parking lots become local hot spots filled with tents full of highly flammable and combustible devices of jubilation. It is time to celebrate Fourth of July, Independence Day, the birthday of America.
For many, the anticipation is too much to bear. Weeks before the actual holiday, eager and excited Americans begin lighting up the night sky with sparkling balls. The celebration was in full-effect in my neighborhood a few nights ago. The family and I had just finished dinner and were still sitting around the table talking when we heard a loud explosion. We knew it had to be close because the force of the explosion shook our house. We did what any rational human being would do when unknown explosives are being discharged near their home: we ran outside to try to discover what was going on. Seconds after stepping out the back door we again heard the familiar hiss of fireworks being sent into the sky. We followed the subtle trail of smoke as it rose and BOOM!!! Again and again, the ground shook as the sky lit up with red, white, and blue balls of light.
I love this holiday. I love the backyard barbecues with friends and family. I love the patriotic music that is played. I especially love the wide variety of fireworks displays that take place. The fireworks, both physically and metaphorically, bring the celebration of our nations birth to a climax high in the night sky, exploding in a brilliant mix of sound and color that declares to all that something amazing has happened. It serves to remind us of the battles that have been fought, the men and women who have sacrificed so much, the nation that we call home, and the freedoms we enjoy because it exists. We have so much for which to be thankful and so much worth celebrating. It is good for us to raise loud and joyful noises celebrating what God has given us.
Every day is a blessing from God, filled with reasons to celebrate loudly…
But, God’s blessing extends well beyond the birth and existence of our nation. God’s blessing is not confined to one nation or one day. Every day is a blessing from God, filled with reasons to celebrate loudly. As I see and hear the fireworks, I’m reminded of Psalm 100.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is He who made us, and we are His;
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise;
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues to all generations.
We serve a God who claims us as His own. We serve a God who watches over us and provides for our needs. We serve a God who invites us into His awesome presence that we might be in right relationship with Him. And, we serve a God who is eternally faithful. Of all the reasons to send exploding balls of fire into the sky, I think this one tops them all!
