I recently saw some posts about Independence Day in Canada being on July 1st, while the USA is on July 4th. Two neighboring countries celebrating Independence Day on two different dates that reflect their own history. I am grateful to be a part of a free independent country and thank all of those who’ve fought to make it that way.
As I have been riding this first week of July I’ve thought quite a bit about independence and freedom. What does it mean to be independent and to have freedom?
If you look up the definition of independence, it’s the fact or state of being independent. Then if you look up the definition of independent, it’s defined as free from outside control. The definition of freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
Freedom and independence seem to go hand in hand, or do they? As I rode and thought about these two words, especially on the 4th of July, I realized that you can be an independent person, yet not be truly free due to thoughts you may harbor towards others or yourself. Your own thoughts can sometimes hold you captive no matter how independent you may be. Our thoughts can be our own worst enemies sometimes if we allow them to.
No matter how independent and free we may feel, we are also still responsible for making sure we don’t infringe on the independence and freedom of others by what we say or do. We’re not free to intentionally hurt others physically or mentally because we disagree. We ARE free to just walk away in those circumstances or just scroll on by (on social media) if that’s what’s best though. We are instructed in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to take every thought captive to obey Christ. We have the power to be independent AND free through Him.
Back to the 4th of July, it not only made me think about independence and freedom, but also about tradition. Did you grow up with or start certain traditions that you relate to the 4th? I can remember feeling like the 4th was really like the real start of summer. It was a day when we did family things and my dad would celebrate with us that day, not work, even if it was during the week. It seemed it always started with going to the parade in the morning. Sometimes we went to watch it, other times we were a part of it. The rest of the day may have included swimming, mom grilling burgers and hot dogs and cooking corn on the cob, or going to other activities sometimes that included fair or carnival type things. (Mostly I remember mom grilling and eating corn on the cob, it’s one of my favorites) Then at night it always ended with mom making a big batch of popcorn and a jug of koolaid we would take with us to watch fireworks somewhere. I remember one year we were headed to see fireworks and my dad decided to take one of his infamous “strawberry shortcuts” to get there. His shortcuts often seemed to take longer than the regular routes but they were more scenic and made him happy, asserting his independence to go his own way. I can’t remember exactly what happened but I know we had car trouble and thought we might not make it in time for the fireworks, which caused some fireworks of their own in the car😉, but we did make it to see them. 😀 It’s funny to me the things I think of sometimes when I ride. I seem to remember things I haven’t thought of for years which means you get to read me rambling about them, or of course you can scroll on by if you choose.
Remember, we can be independent and free, if we hold our thoughts captive, and if you don’t have any traditions you celebrate yet, it’s never too late to start!
Galatians 5:1 KJV
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker 