July 4th Holiday

Happy July 4th holiday to all!

As you know, this is the day that we celebrate American Independence. I'd like to take a few minutes to share some thoughts that woke me up a few weeks ago.

Most of us know that the American flag has 13 red and white stripes, to represent the 13 original colonies. Did you know that the inspiration for the color choice is biblical, "but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out"? (John 19:34) Jesus' suffering and death is the source of our FULLNESS of GRACE.

The choice of shape further bears this out. The choice of stripes harkens back to Isaiah, "with his stripes we are healed". (Isaiah 53:5)

I wondered if red and white could also represent the body and blood. I see no reason why not, but it was not the thought that woke me.

Most people also know that the American flag also has 50 white stars on a field of blue, to represent the current 50 states. Blue is used to represent God's grace. It is used repeatedly throughout Exodus in the design and layout of God's tabernacle.

The white stars on a field of blue represent the sky. The blue sky by day is a passive reminder of God's grace. During the day, mankind is at work. Human work (efforts at salvation, or even to serve Him) is the opposite of His grace. The blue sky by day is a passive reminder of the Grace that is available to those who seek it through faith, not works.

The stars (with the moon) govern the night sky. Unlike the blue, they are active, they twinkle. This represents the slow, steady, eternal nature of God's grace upon humanity. It is available when mankind is at REST. It is restoring and refreshing the soul, just as sleep refreshes the body.

For the physics-minded, they will note that both blue and white are colors or variations of the same electromagnetic radiation. But, the color blue is a thin slice of the visible spectrum. The color white is the entire spectrum! White is the sum of all colors, blue included. If you used a prism, you could divide white light into a spectrum that looks like a rainbow. Blue is just a tiny reminder, white is the fullness of all.

The remaining point that I pondered was, why America? There are lots of other countries today, and have been plenty more over the recent millennia of human existence. Why is the American flag, and by extension, country, tied to the source and demonstration of God's grace?

The answer is found in the American identity; the reasoning and goals of the founding fathers to enshrine human liberty above all else... especially the liberty to worship God as each individual sees fit. This human liberty was indeed "endowed by our creator" according to His great plan. Every one of us is free to choose who we will serve in this lifetime. He wants us to freely choose to serve Him. That is our greatest calling, and the purpose of our existence.

When we align our human efforts with His design, the results are truly miraculous.