Reaching for Freedom

Watching the sun settling on the horizon this evening, gathered with friends, family, neighbors and community members, we give thanks for the tremendous freedoms we have in this country.  What are you thankful for today?  I'm several days into a thirty-day celebration of praise and thanksgiving, using Twitter to offer prayers and observations of joy in honor of my thirtieth birthday which just past last Saturday.  I invite you to join me, and to offer your own #30DaysofPraise during the month of July.

"Reaching for Freedom"
Red, White & Dead
Zombie Walk, Seattle, 2011
Photo by Trista Wynne

Often around Thanksgiving, and sometimes around Christmas, we pause to take stock of what we have and to offer thanks to our Creator.  But for the rest of the year we seem to take our friends, families, food, clothing, freedom and even our very bodies for granted.  Dear ones, our founding fathers and mothers who fought and strove and prayed and sacrificed so that we might be free from tyrannical government, slave-labor and oppressive taxes did not give of themselves just so that we could be comfortable. 

We as a nation, and each of us as individuals, are called to reach and to work for the freedom, justice, equality and fair treatment of all people everywhere.  And we still have much work to do on our own soil, in our own homes, in our own churches and in our own workplaces.  We cannot simply say that inequalities, injustice, oppression, slavery, abuse and neglect only happen in other places.

The zombie virus is alive and spreading, dear ones.  Everything that our founding mothers and fathers worked so hard to obliterate has seeped into our very bones.  We still fight against it every day, even in our own bodies, minds and spirits.

On this anniversary of our nation, let us remember our independence, certainly.  But let us also remember our dependence.  Let us remember the One who created all peoples in the Creator's own image.  Let us remember the saving actions and the signs of grace and life which came through Jesus the Christ.  Let us remember the Spirit of Life who breathes newness into each one of us every day, who offers Herself continuously before the throne of the Most High, interceding for our every need.  Let us remember that "all will be well," and that the New Creation is in the midst of sprouting up among us, combating the zombie virus and all its various strains. 

"Sharing the Freedom"
Red, White & Dead
Zombie Walk, Seattle, 2011
Photo by Trista Wynne

May we remember, dear ones, that we live in solidarity with all living things, created and connected by One who holds all of creation in the palm of God's own hand.  And as we remember all of these things, may we be stirred up to fight against inequalities, injustice, oppression, abuse, neglect and tyranny.  May we become more and more dependent upon the One who created all, and in our dependence learn to reach out to others in ways that affirms their gifts of life.  And may we truly embrace one another, all peoples, in every tribe and tongue, of every race, gender, creed and sexual orientation with deep abiding love so that we reflect our Creator's love and sacrifice for all.

In Jesus' name, empowered by the Holy Spirit, let us all say amen.