STUCK IN THE MUD

Driving a car is a simple task as long as you continue to drive in familiar terrain. When the situation changes, the task becomes much more difficult. We have all had cars stuck in the mud or have seen someone in that predicament.

Experienced drivers know that to move a vehicle you press the accelerator pedal. While in ideal conditions this will make the car go forward, in the mud it becomes more challenging. I have witnessed countless amounts of people hit the accelerator with the same pressure or more while trying to get out of the mud. All this does is spin the tire and dig the car further down into the mud.

Many people's lives are just like a car that is stuck in the mud. The traditions, the lifestyle, and the routine seemed to lead to a happy life. Then one day, they wake up and realize they have been stuck in a rut. The things that kept things going forward for them were just holding them back. The more they try to free themselves by doing the same things, the more trapped they become.

It is time to break free.

When we disagree with people, we do not seek to understand. We seek to be right and to win an argument. When something bad happens, we choose to let our religious or political views become center stage. We begin to pass blame to people, even if they had nothing to do with the situation just because it may seem to strengthen our old arguments. We even use “facts” that are inaccurate because they looked good in a meme.

Freedom does not come from arguing. It does not come from doing the same things we have always done. It comes from stepping back and seeing what truly sets us free. Gaining a true understanding of the situation is a must.

Many people do not even read the scriptures. They rely on someone else to tell them what it says. Many times, the person they rely on may have misquoted it, misinterpreted it, or taken it out of context. None of that will set you free. We need to read the Bible for ourselves and meditate on what it says. Truly begin to understand what it says. Understand how to apply it to your life.

When you know the truth, it will set you free. Jesus did not come to judge you or hold you back. He came to save you because what we were doing was holding us back.

Hate, judgment, and the desire to be right keep us spinning our wheels in the mud and will never set us free. However, Jesus came to demonstrate sacrificial and selfless love. This type of love brings freedom. It is a love that does not have limitations. It is a love that welcomes those with whom you may even disagree.

When we begin to live our lives with the type of love that Jesus has for us, then we shall begin to experience the freedom that he wants us to have. No more spinning your wheels in life. Move on from that place, and move in love.

Never forget!

In the United States, today is a federal holiday known as Memorial Day. It is the day our country remembers and honors those in the armed forces that have died serving our country. This is not to be confused with Veterans Day that celebrates all veterans that have served in our country's armed forces. Without those men fighting and giving up their lives, our country would not be the same. 

Unfortunately, some people just look at this day is another federal holiday. People use their day off in different ways. Some get together and have barbecues, some head to the beach, and others sleep late. There is nothing wrong with any of these, but never forget why we have the opportunity to do those things. 

This is a holiday where traditionally we decorate the graves of the deceased soldiers. We fly our flags at half-staff until noon when it rises to the top of the flagpole again. The is a concert that takes place at the US Capitol, and across the country, many cities and towns hold Memorial Day Parades. 

We often say things in life like we will never forget, but as time passes on the memories began to fade. Even Jesus told his disciples at the last supper to do this in memory of me. Shortly after, Peter denied he even knew Jesus. 

The busier our lives become, the harder it is for us to remember. We began focusing on other things. Our focus on the important matters began to blur, and we only see what we want to see. Without Jesus, Christians would never know the freedom they have. Without the armed forces, Americans would not know the freedoms they have now.  

On September 11, 2011, terrorists attacked America including the twin towers. We claimed we would never forget. The country came together to make a stand. Since then, we let division become the norm. We seem to have forgotten that "United We Stand". 

Let us get back to the basics and remember those that have died serving our country. It took people to fight The American Revolution, The War of 1812, The Civil War, The World Wars and many other wars and many lives have been lost.

Look at what you have now. The freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness all cost something. Remember the cost. It cost many lives, and the men and women who paid that price for us deserve for us to honor and remember them. 

We often take these things for granted. However, I return to my original point. "Never Forget!"