Independence Day?

Posted on July 4, 2020 by mitchteemley

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Today is Independence Day in my country.

Independence seems like an odd thing to celebrate at a time when we feel anything but independent, when so much of our independence is curtailed: The right to choose when and where we go, what people (and how many) we can be with, and whether or not to wear a mask when we are. Many Americans, in fact, have rebelled against these limitations in the name of the very independence first proclaimed on this date in 1776.

But true independence isn’t external. An addict whose drug is legal still depends upon it. A person who chooses ignorance over knowledge isn’t exercising their freedom, they’re limiting it.

St. Francis of Assisi was, in his youth (and by his own confession), a slave to sin and debauchery. It was only after his imprisonment that he found true independence. There in a prison cell he began to free his heart and mind from the lies and behaviors that had shackled him for years. There he a found freedom no one could take away from him, because no one had given it to him. No one but the Creator himself, the one who possessed the keys to Francis’s shackles. From then on Francis was free. And he used that freedom to set others free.

May we all learn to do the same.

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” ~Francis of Assisi 

“There is no gate, no lock, no bolt you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” ~Virginia Woolf

“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” ~Ralph Ellison

“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” ~Toni Morrison

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

~John 8:32

Happy Independence Day!

(Now and Forever)

About mitchteemley

Writer, Filmmaker, Humorist, Thinker-about-stuffer
This entry was posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

31 Responses to Independence Day?

  1. lisaonthebeach says:
    July 4, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    Excellent! ❤🤍💙

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Sruti Shivakumar says:
    July 4, 2020 at 2:35 pm

    ‘Freedom’ very well explained

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Erika says:
    July 4, 2020 at 2:36 pm

    Wonderful and important thoughts, Mitch! And very profound quotes to go with them. May this sink deep into the awareness of every American (and everybody who doesn’t have it yet)! Happy Independence Day!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  4. Inspirations By Katheryn says:
    July 4, 2020 at 2:50 pm

    Reblogged this on Inspirations By Katheryn and commented:
    Excellent thoughts about true freedom from Mitch Teemley.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. numrhood says:
    July 4, 2020 at 2:55 pm

    john 7:33 call unto thee

    Like

    Reply
  6. Heidi Viars says:
    July 4, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    Thanks for this today, Mitch! Yes, knowing Jesus is knowing true freedom! Happy Independence Day to you and your family!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. K.L. Hale says:
    July 4, 2020 at 6:02 pm

    “It was only after his imprisonment that he found freedom.” What a profound and heartfelt post. The quotes are perfect. Happy Independence Day. May we find the freedom ~freedom from a destructive government and tyranny~the freedom we can experience only through our Creator. God bless you Mitch.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. Kellie says:
    July 4, 2020 at 6:14 pm

    Oh I love the “when I discover myself” quote 👌

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. revruss1220 says:
    July 4, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    Excellent insight! Thank you and happy Independence Day to you and yours, too.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. Mark Johnson says:
    July 4, 2020 at 6:29 pm

    Your words and insights are spot on, Mitch … as usual.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. francisashis says:
    July 4, 2020 at 8:55 pm

    Wish you a happy Independence Day.🙏🌹

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. Deeksha Pathak says:
    July 4, 2020 at 9:48 pm

    Happy Independence Day Mitch.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Shirley Hobson Duncanson says:
    July 5, 2020 at 12:06 am

    “A person who chooses ignorance over knowledge isn’t exercising their freedom, they’re limiting it.” Wise words and so true. Thanks Mitch.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  14. musingsofmanettekay says:
    July 5, 2020 at 12:35 am

    A perfect message for this day, so true, concise and powerful. Amen and amen!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. Liz Gauffreau says:
    July 5, 2020 at 12:40 am

    This statement in particular resonated with me: “A person who chooses ignorance over knowledge isn’t exercising their freedom, they’re limiting it.”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. Anonymous Believer says:
    July 5, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    Nice writing ❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. proverbs27flocks says:
    July 5, 2020 at 9:29 pm

    I enjoy the benefits of the freedom in the USA. Having been to India, I appreciate our freedoms even more. But the best freedom I have experienced is found in the person who declared himself to be the Way the Truth and the Life. That is real freedom that lasts.
    John 8:31-36 (ESV) – The Truth Will Set You Free
    31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

    34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
    Free indeed! Even those who have lacked freedom in this life can be set free for all eternity.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. nitinsingh says:
    July 7, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    Lovely post, thnx to share this lovely post

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. gpavants says:
    July 8, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    Mitch,

    May our unhappy ones see their “prison” then see true Savior of souls.

    Preach it, brother!

    Gary

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Pingback: Call Me Mr. Sunshine | Mitch Teemley

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