Day 154 "Dependence Day in Christ"

Where there is trust, there is evidence of good will, love, trustworthiness, and faith.

Two hundred forty four years ago, the forefathers of United States felt is was necessary and

incumbent upon them to lead the people of the British Colonies to become independent from England. Trust in the well-being of the colonists at the hands of the British monarchy

had grown into irreparable distrust and disdain for British rule over the colonies. Thus, independence was sought after.

But when trust and a sense of well-being is established, little of independence is sought after. In the Roman Empire era, for example, it happened on occasion that a household slave would be given freedom. But if that slave desired to remain under the authority and continue care of the master of the house, then a ritual would be performed marking the ear of the slave and the slave would remain in his master care for the remainder of his life. Thus, one of the meanings for "bond servant" is to be given the choice of freedom and relinquishing such right to becoming bonded to one's master.

I often think of my relationship with God in the same way. Though many people of the world may look upon God's standards for ethical and moral behavior as limiting and restrictive, exercising control over their lives, a Christian who has come to know and understand God's love and grace sees such standards in a different light. Like the bond servant of old, the Christian desires to yield his or her authority over their life and submit their will under God's authority. There is an acknowledgement and trust that one's well-being as a child of God is a vital interest to God. And as this relationship forges onward, there becomes even a greater understanding that such submission brings about greater freedom and joy and peace.

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those in Christ." Romans 8:1

"However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—" 1 Corinthians 2:9

Such freedom in God's love and grace brings about a great exchange. It changes the motivation of the heart from feeling constrained and contrived to "have to" do something for God and changes it over to becoming a desire and inspiration to "want to" do something for God. Such intimacy is why God created us in the first place- to have an on going relationship with him based on freedom and love.

So, as this day brings about the remembrance of what was paid in human lives and sacrifice to pull away from the British authority that sought control over the lives of the colonists, I think about the life of Jesus who died on the cross and paid the ultimate price to set my spirit free condemnation and separation from God.

"He set aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made

holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10

The more I understand God's love and concern for my life, the easier I find my dependence on him. The world looks upon such belief as foolishness. But to the believers in Christ, such belief brings about a calming relief and peace in the midst of all the raging storms going on all around them assuring them that the best is yet to come.

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Look around you and what do you see? Where do you focus the attention of

your heart. Be of good cheer. A spiritual world coincides with the physical realm in which we live. There is more going on than meets the naked eye.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

In his love, see you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)