Freedom

On this day, in our land
one type of freedom
proclaimed from their words
their names written on the page
claiming for our people
a new nation
founded upon freedom
upon God-given, inalienable rights
won by sacrifices of men and women
down through the ages.

An earlier day, a wondrous, awesome day
true freedom, given by grace
offered not merely by words;
but by the sacrifice, the resurrection
of our Lord, the risen Christ
won not on the battlefield;
but upon a wooden cross.

Freedom to be the good neighbor
to love one another
to carry on His work
and to heal in His name.
Freedom to spread the good news
to the ends of the earth
to share our gifts
and the joys He brings;
to walk humbly with God
and with our neighbors,
all whom we meet.


July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH