I once heard a humorous story.
A young fly, freely flying out of the house through an open window, suddenly saw an old fly hopelessly beating itself against the glass, trying to escape to freedom. The young fly returned, flew up to the old fly and said, "Why are you hitting the glass? The window is open right here." To which the old fly replied, "For freedom, my dear, you must fight!"
We live in an amazingly blessed country, the USA, that rightfully prides itself on its values, among which independence — freedom is paramount.
"Give me liberty, or give me death!" — Patrick Henry, a young man then 39 years old, once declared these words at the very beginning of the struggle for independence, on March 23, 1775, in one of the churches in Richmond VA.
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! How much is contained in that word! The power of this word lies in every person's deepest desire to be free and in that same person's deepest understanding that they are not free.
Yes, we no longer live in a slave system, but who among us can truly say they are free today? Starting with the fact that we are burdened by our own worries, fears, and anxieties. Not to mention dependencies like drugs, alcohol, computer games, pornography, and the pursuit of material possessions – in essence, people remain unfree, though they deeply desire it, as we've already mentioned.
Perhaps this is why Jesus Christ begins His sermon of the Gospel — the Good News of the coming New Era — the Kingdom of God with these words:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:3-4 (NIV)).
In the context of a conversation about freedom, these words can be understood as: "Happy is the one who has understood that they are not free," "Happy is the one who mourns over this realization." But why are they happy? It's very simple: because now, with the preaching of the Gospel — the Good News of the Kingdom of God — an alternative existence, another parallel reality, has become accessible to people: the Reality of the Kingdom of God. A reality where the king does not rule over his subjects but washes their feet. A reality where you are accepted and endlessly loved by the Creator of all that exists — you are accepted and loved by God.
This new reality is in the process of unfolding today, through the Church, through a church similar to the one that perhaps you attend every Sunday.
One might think that I'm trying to say that free people are found in the church, but that would be far from the truth. In the church, people are the same as everywhere else: they have fears and worries, and they also struggle with their vices and addictions. But what makes the Church distinct from the rest of the world is that it believes in and learns to live in the new reality of the Kingdom of God — a Kingdom of Goodness, Love, Hope, and all that is good and excellent. Sometimes it succeeds, and sometimes it doesn't, but it definitely strives for it.
In conclusion, I would like to read a few more words from Jesus Christ:
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36 (NIV)).
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)).
May God bless you and happy Independence Day!