Musings on Fireworks, Celebrations and Dark Houses

Today may be July 4th, but at Providence Village the celebration was last Saturday. I went down to the lake with some of my family to watch the fireworks display. I LOVE fireworks. I used to take the girls to the fireworks shows at Fair Park when they were very little and scared to death of the big bangs. I had a great time - they were wondering when we could go home! Now I think we all love fireworks and it is a lot of fun to watch them together.

This morning in my sermon I mentioned how the children sitting behind us at Providence really did enter into the joy and celebration. I talked about how I thought about the first July 4th on the walk home. How I realized that freedom is a choice and has a cost. But there was something else I noticed on that walk home as well. Some of the houses were brightly lit with folks on the front porch or lawn enjoying the evening. Other houses were dark; it looked like no one was at home.

I wondered about those dark houses. Was no one home? Were they unwilling or unable to celebrate? Were they irritated by the loud noises and blocked streets? Were they cynical about the hoopla over freedoms that they feel don't really exist?

OK, I realize that this is a lot of speculation and that a dark house probably isn't really very meaningful, but to me the contrast between the bright and dark houses was a parable. I know that for a lot of people, Christianity seems like a lot of "hoopla" over something that really doesn't exist. In Galatians 5:1 Paul says, "For freedom Christ has set you free." Those houses reminded me of how much my heart aches for those who are unable to celebrate the freedom and joy that Christ offers. I want everyone to be able to join in the party that is the kingdom of God. I want us all to be like the children who reveled in the fun.

I pray that if you are in a dark house at this point in your life, that you will find the joy to celebrate freedom in Christ. As I said this morning, Christ has paid the price, it is up to us to make the choice. What awaits is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - worth the celebration, I think.