Freedom to light up the neighborhood – Omaha World-Herald

Have your eardrums recovered yet?

In the aftermath of another Fourth of July, its a fair question to ask. Nowadays the blasts, brocades and breaks of July Fourth are so extreme that I wear the sound-deadening earmuffs I would use while sighting in a hunting rifle. Sure, they dont look very cool but they look much cooler than a hearing aid.

Now, dont get me wrong. I enjoy a good fireworks display and we detonate our fair share in the driveway. But over the last few years weve had some close calls.

Like the artillery shell that exploded a few feet in the air, landed in my friends lap, and started him on fire. We promptly put him out, but still.

Nor will I forget the firework cake that tipped over and started shooting multiple flaming balls into a lawn full of kids and a garage full of more fireworks. That was fun.

July Fourth is a day to celebrate and remember our freedom but these accidents have changed our family display. This year, we were more selective in what we bought. Were free to blow up whatever legal fireworks we can find. That doesnt mean we have to.

When my freedom is putting my children and party guests in danger of being, you know, set on fire, then maybe its time to dial things back a bit.

To me, its a colorful reminder of how freedom isnt the same thing as license.

Christianity is sometimes seen as freedom to do whatever we want, because after all, God is forgiving and kind. He certainly is that and more but does that really mean I can do whatever I want?

The Rolling Stones lit the fuse on this concept back in 1965 with the resounding report, Im free to do what I want, any old time.

That song has been covered and sampled through the years because of the ideology that keeps it smoking: freedom means being able to do what we want for ourselves.

Just this year, the recording artist Pitbull threw some Stones into the lyrics of his song, Freedom.

Feel free, do whatever you want whenever you want with whoever you want. Feel free, who cares what they say? Just live your life cause we dont live twice.

With my lips, I might say I disagree with those lyrics. With my life, I seem to affirm them. Often, Ill use my freedom as an excuse to serve myself. Were all guilty of that from time to time. Those kinds of choices usually wind up blowing up in our faces and burning other people. Its what we do.

But is it what we were made to do?

Jesus displayed a different kind of freedom. He was free to do whatever he wanted during his earthly life: Free to turn stones into bread; Free to put on a sparkling show; Free to have all the wealth, fame and recognition imaginable.

But he didnt abuse his freedom. He used it to serve others instead of himself. He served the duds, the discontinued and the damaged. Thats what love does.

Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

What if we celebrated the freedom that men and women have laid down their lives to secure for us by serving others? That kind of love can light up a neighborhood in an entirely different way.

And, no one will wind up on fire, either. Which is nice.

Gregg Madsen is the lead pastor of Steadfast Gretna.

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Freedom to light up the neighborhood - Omaha World-Herald