Burning Question:
Morning Devotional:
Do you ever wish everything had a guarantee?
We live in a world obsessed with the concept, don’t we? We want guaranteed delivery times, guaranteed returns on investments, even guaranteed satisfaction for products. We crave that sense of security, that assurance that things will work out exactly as planned. But that’s not the way life works. Not everything is guaranteed – not even the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.
I recently heard the phrase, “freedom is a gift, not a guarantee.” It’s so true. The liberties we enjoy in this country—things like, the ability to speak our minds, to worship as we choose, to pursue our dreams—those aren’t etched in stone as permanent fixtures. They are a gift, bought and paid for by the incredible sacrifice of generations of men and women in uniform. Their bravery, their willingness to lay down their lives, is why we can gather with family, enjoy a day off, and experience the fullness of our freedoms. It’s humbling, isn’t it?
And this truth extends to our spiritual lives as well. Galatians 5:1 declares, “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.” This incredible freedom from sin and death was given to us by Christ on the cross. It’s not something we earned or can ever guarantee through our own efforts. It’s a pure, undeserved gift.
This Memorial Day, let’s not just enjoy our freedoms, but truly appreciate the immeasurable cost—both on battlefields and at Calvary—that secured them. Let’s live as if freedom is the precious, unguaranteed gift that it truly is.
– Beth
Bible Quiz:
Question: Whose older brother refused to attend the welcome home party?
Answer: The prodigal son (Luke 15:28)
Storytime: The back door wasn’t working!