Independence Day

 

The Trinity Hills

Today, August 31, my country is celebrating 64 years of independence. A nation gains its independence, when it is freed from outside control. That freedom from outside influences, is celebrated then, and every year thereafter, with much pomp and ceremony.

We are raised to be independent persons by our parents and by society but then, somewhere along the line, we are told that God wants us to be totally dependent on Him. Truth be told, moving from independent to dependent is easier said than done.

You see, the independence that our parents and society urged us to gain is based on becoming solely dependent on ourselves, where we completely rely on our own efforts to control and direct our own lives. So, to become completely dependent on another, even though it’s God, is difficult.

To become completely dependent on God involves reprogramming but it’s a process we must go through, for to be truly independent is to be utterly dependent on God because that is the epitome of freedom.

We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong in that freedom. Don’t go back into slavery again. – Galatians 5:1 (ERV)

The day you surrender your will to the will of Jesus Christ is your Independence Day. That is the moment when Jesus Christ, the Saviour, sets you free from the control of outside influences. That’s the day you are set free from sin's dominion over your life.

You gain freedom in Christ; you gain Eternal Life and death no longer has its hold on you. The spiritual chains of bondage fall away from your soul, and you walk away completely liberated because, when the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:36 (NIV)

That is your ultimate celebration of independence. You can be sure there will be fireworks in heaven on that day.

Independence Day, that day when you are loosed from the old spiritual influences that have you bound. Like Lazarus, we’re bound hand and foot with graveclothes until Jesus cries out, “Loose him, and let him go!” (John 11:44).

It is really Jesus Himself who does the loosing, for He was sent by the Father to proclaim liberty to the captives, to set free those who are bound (Isaiah 61:1) but you play an important role by being willing to be set free.

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me free. – Psalm 118:5 (AMP)

Are you willing to be set free? Are you ready to celebrate your true Independence Day?

Happy Independence!

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Independence Day” © 2016 revisited August 31, 2026