Although this is not a site for politics of any persuasion, nor even of the most sublime of topics in American History, it is still good to reflect on the importance of Independence Day. Next to the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the most precious gift of God to us here and now is the sum total of rights and responsibilities, freedoms and liberties, security and sacrifice, proud history and potential future that we have inherited as citizens of our great country. Among those rights is the freedom to worship according one’s conscience. We are free to study and learn God’s Word, free to worship the God of our salvation, free to confess the name of our Savior and all the truths of His Word, free to propagate that faith as we seek to communicate the gospel to one and all. In this freedom the church has flourished and so we are able to share the gospel with all the world.
Elder Tom has always felt an affinity for the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, as well as with other historical figures who share his first name. One of the rituals that Elder Tom observed yesterday was a reading of the Declaration. Indeed, at this time in Elder Tom’s life, the other rituals associated with the day – fireworks displays, band concerts, picnics, barbecues, parades, ball games – are not available to him. But as much as he misses some of them, Elder Tom still cherishes the day, the Declaration, and all that it entails.
Another ritual Elder Tom and his wife observed was attendance at the Divine Service at St. Paul’s. Pastor White had a great sermon, powerfully delivered in his usual style. (Should you happen to be reading this and were not there with us, it is accessible elsewhere on this web site.) As it was the Fourth of July, few of us were there. For many people, even for many Christians, the other activities associated with the day, including trips to the beach, cottages and campgrounds up north, fishing and even excursions to historical locales, are more enjoyable that the simple act of going to church. Elder Tom and his wife feel differently. Though many people might view them, their lives, and their celebration of the Fourth as very dull indeed, Elder Tom and his wife consider going to church, singing the Lord’s praises, hearing the gospel, and receiving the Sacrament not only more important and more fulfilling than all those other things, but also more enjoyable, interesting, and even exciting.
After all, as our founders recognized, and the Declaration itself declares, all the rights that we have are gifts of God. The Declaration also ascribed the colonies’ right to be independent to the “laws of…God.” They appealed to “the Supreme Judge of the world” to attest to the integrity of their purposes and they expressed “a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence” to support their cause. In declaring their independence, and ours, the founders recognized that they and all they stood for, as well as all they hoped to bring to fruition, were dependent on God.
So on Independence Day it is only fitting that we also celebrate a Dependence Day. We are dependent on our founders, and the generations that followed, for the definition and defense of the rights we have received from God. We are dependent on our fellow citizens, and they on us, to continue to properly define and defend those rights. We are dependent on both our men and our women at arms and those among our first responders for their intense efforts and willingness to face dangers on our behalf. Elder Tom is dependent on his wife, to the extent that he does not think he could live without her. Elder Tom and his wife are dependent on the gospel for creating, nurturing, and preserving their faith in the Savior. They are dependent on their fellow Christians, and especially the members of St. Paul’s, for both the support Elder Tom and his wife receive from them and the support the members are willing to receive from them. They are dependent on Pastor White, their God-appointed shepherd, for the spiritual leadership he provides. (Elder Tom is also dependent on him for this blog. Pastor White encouraged him to write and also showed him how to access the site.) Above all, Elder Tom and Mary are dependent on the Savior, whose blood and righteousness has earned them a good conscience, granted them a place in the family of God, and secured reservations for them in His glorious Kingdom. Elder Tom and Mary hope that you join them in treasuring and celebrating the same dependence, even as they join you and all our fellow citizens in treasuring and celebrating Independence Day and all the elements that merge together to form American exceptionalness.
