Three Reasons Why You Should Still Celebrate the 4th
Freedom and chaos. Pursuit of happiness through pain. Today, we are encountering a tug of war between celebration and suffering.
This is America on the Fourth of July.
I've seen many of my African-American acquaintances and friends question on social media what there is to celebrate, acknowledging that this day representing freedom does not represents us all.
I disagree. Here are the reasons why I will still celebrate the 4th of July.
I will still celebrate the 4th because regardless of what we see, true freedom still means liberty for all.
Race, gender, age... there will always someone who is oppressed, someone trying to break the glass ceiling. The concept of the 4th represents not only the freedom felt by some today, but the freedom that awaits us all in the future. To celebrate the 4th is to celebrate, like in the words of Tupac, "The Rose That Grew From Concrete":
Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature's law is wrong it learned to walk with out having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else ever cared.
I will still celebrate the 4th as a representation of victories won and victories to come.
Freedom means you have the right to choose how and what you celebrate. If you are not feeling the traditions of the typical Americana-Fourth-of-July, create your own. Don't let others take your joy. Use this time as an opportunity to celebrate your past and acknowledge the potential of glory revealed even when you don't see the reality of it.
What does that look like?
Someone remembering their family's veterans while some else celebrates their family's freedom fighters. One grandmother telling stories of how her tribe fought to keep their land and another recalls how her parents fled from theirs. Sharing stories of war and peace here and abroad. Liberty looks different for each of us, and so should our celebration of it. Some have tasted freedom while others hunger for it hoping one day their children will have a seat at the table.
The Bible tells us the power of life and death are in the tongue.
If you want freedom, speak life into it.
Use the power of the Resurrection inside of you to raise up a new standard.
And finally, I will celebrate the 4th because my Jesus came that I might have life and have it more abundantly.
Christ is our ultimate freedom fighter. He is our HOPE.
HOPE was hanging between two thieves.
HOPE secured the future of an oppressed mother while suffering.
HOPE redeemed the time of a lost soul now found.
It was a violent, painful victory but a victory none the less.
We keep expecting our victory to be pristine.
Freedom is bloody, painful, overwhelming... and still mine.
To have and to hold, from this day forth and forever more. Amen.
That's why I will still celebrate the 4th.
Jesus' blood has power over the flag stained with the blood of our ancestors.
His victory is my victory.
Today, celebrate freedom because of Christ.
We are empowered by the spirit of the Living God, and we will see the salvation of the Lord.
Take Care. Be safe. Look like LOVE.
WRITER | MENTOR | TEACHER
LOVER OF CHOCOLATE
PURPOSED TO EMPOWER
35+ YEARS MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL
Phillipa also the Founder of ilooklikeLOVE, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization providing diaper assistance to families in need and opportunities for mothers to empower themselves.
Look for her upcoming book,
GOD n You: Finding Your Place in Forever.
