Watermelon on the Roof

One great memory that sticks out in my mind from childhood, is the fourth of July when we cut up several watermelon slices and climbed up on the roof of our trailer and watched the fireworks in the distance.

There was something inspirational sitting on our roof on that hot, humid summer night. Are there any other summer nights in Oklahoma that are not humid? Rarely. With watermelon in hand we sat and watched an array of colors light up the sky and heard the distant boom of the fireworks. What a memory!

This memory reminds me that I can focus on the good and not always look at the negative things from my past or right in front of me today. It reminds me to look up.

As Christians who are raised with Christ we are reminded by Paul in Colossians to set our minds on things above. (Colossians 3:2)

Philippians 4:8 tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Think, dwell, concentrate on the good and don't focus on the bad.

As a grown adult my focus has shifted since I was a child. There are a lot of negative and scary things I can dwell on if I so choose to, and sometimes it doesn't seem like I have a choice, it just happens. There are many concerns and worries that I have as an adult with my own children now and I tend focus on that. In Christ we have the freedom to let our focus be on Him.

If there is anything praiseworthy that we could focus on this Independence Day it would be our freedom that we have in Christ. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

The problem is we can be slaves to our worries, failures and sins, but in Christ we have freedom. We were called to be free, but we are instructed to use that freedom to love one another. "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14

Christ's sacrifice frees us from sin so we can serve God. "But now that you have been set free from sin and become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." Romans 6:22

On this July 4th holiday, on this day that we celebrate our independence as a nation, let's celebrate our dependence on Christ to set us free from the bondage of sin.

I may not be climbing on a roof anytime soon, but I can easily sit with my children anywhere, with or without watermelon in hand and build memories with them, but most importantly share with them the truth of Christ that will set them free. We must teach our children to remain in Christ's and his word. For Jesus says, if we abide in his word, we are truly his disciples and we will know the truth and it will set us free. (John 8:31-32). Then all who are in Christ will have freedom to not only focus on the good things in life, but also the best thing in life, the freedom to approach God with confidence through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 3:12).