Faith, Freedom, and Gratitude
“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts.” Psalm 119:45
I was in Washington, DC, recently and had the privilege of participating in a tour of national monuments and memorials. The quiet respect, the magnitude of the expertly crafted structures, the endless rows of heroes’ names, and the personal mementos left by family members filled me with somber gratitude for all those who have fought to secure our many freedoms.
While I somewhat anticipated the impact I’ve just described, I did not expect to also feel such a strong connection to my Christian faith. From the Bible verses included in Abraham Lincoln’s speeches on the Lincoln Memorial to “Praise be to God” inscribed in Latin on the top of the Washington Monument, walking among these memorials and monuments felt like a kind of faith walk, too. These two topics – faith and freedom – were interwoven throughout my tour, and I walked away with a profoundly deepened connection to both. Later that week my connection grew even stronger when I visited the Museum of the Bible and experienced their virtual aerial tour of many of the same sites. I learned there are even more Biblical references around the city than I observed during my tour. I was very moved.
These experiences have really elevated my gratitude, which has caused me to realize how quickly I complain about the little things but how slow I am to appreciate what’s truly important. We have salvation in Christ, the ultimate freedom paid for at the highest price, and we have the societal freedoms we enjoy (including the freedom to practice our faith!) thanks to the sacrifices of so many. These are two enormous privileges I can take for granted if I let myself get lost in the chaos of daily life.
I now make it a priority to spend some time each day (not just on holidays!) thanking the Lord for my freedoms and seeking His direction on how to make choices that honor them. A Bible verse I use to guide me is Psalm 119:45, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts.” (NIV) I love how freedom is framed as an action in this verse. The phrase “walking in freedom” is thrown around a lot, but I’m not sure how much we really think about what it means or how walking in freedom is a privilege and a responsibility. I know in the past I haven’t given it the serious attention it deserves. I’m working to change that!
I invite you to join me in pausing each day to remember our freedoms and why we have them, and to thank the Lord for all He has done. May we thoughtfully consider what it means to walk in freedom, and may we commit to making choices that honor those freedoms in our daily lives. I offer the prayer below to help you on this path of gratitude.
Questions for Reflection:
When do you most feel a strong connection to your Christian faith?
What are you most grateful for in your daily life? Why are you grateful for these things?
Do you spend time each day, thanking God for the freedom He provides in your life? If not, why not?
