This is certainly true of the country we live in. Many men and women have given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.  They had given their most precious resource that we may reap the benefit for centuries to come.  

As you reflect on this sacrifice know there is an even greater freedom and sacrifice that had been won and given.  We have been freed for the law of sin and death:

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:2‬ ‭NASB‬‬

This not only changes our daily experience, but redraws our eternity.  For our identity has been transformed from enemy of God to child of the most high. Our sins that held us in bondage, were dealt with on the cross.  We now live in a freedom that transcends the limits of the physical realm. 

While freedom in Christ can be compared to the freedom in this country, there is one very significant difference.  Today, we celebrate our independence whereas with Christ, I celebrate my dependence.  My spiritual bondage was not a battle that I won by my strategic tactics or great strength.  It was a gift given me by One who I strive to be more dependent on daily.  

As We celebrate our independence in this country, We, likewise, celebrate the dependence of our hearts, souls, and minds on Jesus Christ, our Lord!

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying,“Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
There are two things that stand out to me here.  We have to remember who’s family we are a part of.  If God is for us, who can be against us?  This may seem simple but really these are not just words.  This is truth!  We are now children of God.  There is no storm greater than our Father!  We can’t forget He is the one who designed and is sovereign over all creation.  We should not be surprised that the winds and sea obey Him.  We should fully expect this to be the case.

Secondly, we need to understand that our lives are secure in Christ.  The physical death is no longer a threat to those who are in Christ, it is merely a doorway to which we pass through to spend eternity with our glorious king.  Death has lost it’s sting and it’s victory.  Christ has overcome the entire fall of creation including the grave!
This morning you can be rest-filled in the midst of the great storm.  Jesus, Himself said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world”.  Amen and Amen!!!

Reflection

What things look like giants and have caused you to fear?

Confess your fear to God and ask Him to magnify your fear and faith in Him.  

Prayer

Father, we ask that You would conquer any fear that has gripped us. For You are greater than than the most violent storm.  You are peace in the midst of He storm because even the wind and waves must obey You.  Help our minds to grasp that truth, O LORD.  In Jesus name, we love you, Amen!

Maturing in Christ begins when we give up our perceived independence, embrace our dependence, and are refined further in our interdependence.  Over our lifetime of walking with Christ we should not be afraid to plunge more and more deeply into the depths of dependence in Him.  While this dependence remains primary, we are called to function as the body of Christ with other believers.  Ephesians 4:11-16 says:

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Reflection

So we are to mature in Christ and function as we are gifted in our dependence on Him.  The next time you are in a trial, could it be possible that God is growing your dependence?  After all the Christian life is a life of dependence on the person of Jesus Christ and His work at the cross.  What would happen if we stop trying to figure out all the solutions for the moment, pray and depend on Him.  If He truly is Lord over all, wouldn’t He have the best solution?  Wouldn’t He be able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine?  Let’s praise Him today for His work of breaking our pride and maturing us in our dependence on Him!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we cry out to you to squash our pride.  Renew our minds in the truth that Jesus is truly all we need.   Re-wire our hearts to desire a deeper dependence on You. May our minds clearly believe and say, “One thing I ask, that I may seek You and dwell in Your presence forever”.  We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen!