“For you were called to freedom, brothers.
Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh,
but through love serve one another.”
Galatians 5:13
Recently, my husband and I visited the White House. Yes, the White House on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington D.C.
We flew by the cuff and took a quick walk and look at things as we saw them. By rights we should have lined up an official tour of which there are many.
We walked by the Washington Monument, trying to visualize what George Washington was like as a President back in 1789. The monument made us stand in awe of days gone by when freedom was valued and lives were sacrificed to preserve it. Of course we took lots of photos.
We did a quick sighting of the Lincoln Memorial. That is the one I really wanted to spend time at, but because of physical restraints of traffic and so forth, we only caught a glimpse. But it was worth the glimpse.
I would like to share with you only two of many quotes by President Abraham Lincoln:.
“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right…”
“This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it. I think Slavery is wrong, morally, and politically.”
There are many great quotes and Lincoln was a wise man, a great President who served during the Civil War. John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, assassinated him for his stand against slavery.
I enjoy learning about history, and have found the USA to have an interesting account.
As we walked by The White House, I thought about the 45 past Presidents, and Biden presently serving as President.
How many stories lie behind those walls?
Four of the past Presidents hatefully assassinated.
How many Presidents stood for true freedom like Lincoln?
As I think of the Bible Verse listed above, it reminds me that those who truly serve others in love are the ones who stand for freedom.
They founded America on liberty. The Statue of Liberty, holding the torch of freedom, has welcomed many to the USA, promising a better day to live as free men and women as ships sailed into the New York Harbour.
As we strolled the street where the White House is located, I wondered about the meaning of true freedom.
The memory of men of integrity who gave their lives for a free country lodged in my mind.
No one can think of true freedom without giving thanks to the King of Kings, who gave His life so that we could be set free from sin.
And I think that epitomizes perfect freedom.
For those who emulate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will themselves represent and stand for true freedom.
They will be men and women of integrity.
We saw a building dedicated to the memory of heroic women of The Civil War in Washington D.C.
For sure we took a photo of this building as well.
There was sadness in my heart about the state of affairs on Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Washington Memorial Monument washrooms had no doors.
An individual was washing their filthy undergarments in the washroom sink.
Long grass and garbage lined the street on which the White House stands.
This was Pennsylvania Avenue, the most important Street in North America.
An old, worn park bench served as a beacon of the state of affairs there.
The White House is all blocked off with an iron fence, and that is understandable. No one is really safe from violence these days. For that reason, all photos taken of the White House come with a black prison looking fence around them.
It reminded me that perhaps none of is really free right now, unless we stake our lives on the love of Jesus and all that means.
We spoke to security personnel inquiring into a statue with a gold top. No one knew what it represented, and they labeled nothing on plaques to give meaning to those seeking answers.
So this was our lesson in history as we made our way back to Canada.
For one, I am more than ever convinced that if you don’t stake your life on the freedom there is in living for Jesus Christ, our true King, you have no freedom at all.
Individuals of the past and present who would stake their lives on this freedom will always be men and women of integrity.
To God’s glory.
In a world that has lost the meaning of freedom, I encourage you to look up and serve one and only true governor of this world.
He will help you live in freedom, and to serve others wholeheartedly so much that you would give your life to others to serve our King.
Our history in Canada and USA all revolves around HIS-Story… and it is not the end of HIS-Story yet.
Until Christ returns, we will struggle to live in freedom. But Christ will fight our battles until He takes us home.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords has won the battle. Let us keep our eyes upon the Captain of our freedom, and in the meantime let us serve others in love with all that we’ve got!
“For you were called to freedom, brothers.
Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh,
but through love serve one another.”
Galatians 5:13