On this 4th of July, 2025, I celebrate Independence Day and all its significance for America and the world. But our Independence did not happen in one day. The Declaration of Independence led to a long and hard fought war with many casualties, and continued for the years since, finally arriving at the freedoms we recognize today in our Constitution.
As our history has taught us, freedom is never quick, easy, or free. Freedom requires sacrifice, vigilance, & patience.
Freedom is also tethered to others. Freedom is not about doing or getting whatever we want whenever we want. Freedom is not about being separate from everything and everyone. One person's freedom is interconnected to another's freedom.
Freedom is ultimately about choices and the ability to freely make those choices. But freedom is in a context where others' choices are also freely made.
As such, freedom requires cooperation and accountability. Every right has a corresponding responsibility. And that is something some in our own country sometimes don't realize or exercise.
There are so many concerns in America and around the world, in so many places and on so many levels. Recently we have seen major military actions in Iran and Israel, violent attacks on civilians in Minnesota, Colorado, and Wyoming, unrest in many communities over refugees, immigrants, homeless, and others, and an increasingly authoritarian administration. We seem to have a range of conflicts and a lack of effective leadership to navigate these challenges.
But in the midst of challenges is when exercising our freedom, our rights and responsibilities, is particularly important. We need to make choices that place us and others in a better position.
Whether we agree or disagree with some one's views or choices, we can proactively make our choices. But our freedom does not mean we can force others to agree with us. Freedom does mean we can be informed, inform others, and influence others. We can take a stand for what is right even when others don't stand with us. And we can hope that others will stand with us, or perhaps consider standing with them.
But what is right is not generally based on a political position. It is made on a moral foundation that prioritizes the good of all.
Unfortunately, I have seen so frequently two sides of the political spectrum vehemently pressing their positions and trying to force everyone to their side. This "us against them" approach is based on the false premise that there are only two sides. But that approach inherently misses the idea of freedom. There are more sides or prespectives than just left and right. And even between left and right there are gradations.
There is good and bad in any side or perspective. Freedom allows us to analyze the pros and cons, the costs and benefits, to make thoughtful choices. Blindly following a candidate, a party, or an interest group can lead to a lack of freedom.
Thus, it is not in the best interest of freedom to be radicalized. The more we lean into our views without room for others, the less we recognize the freedoms of all. Most terrorists are people with views that become radicalized to the point of no longer considering the freedoms of others as long as it serves their own cause.
The lack of rational, cooperative, & collaborative representation in government and society should raise concerns for all. We have increasingly seen narcissistic tendencies in our culture and in our government. Despotism starts with anyone thinking their way is the only way, or else.
So what is best for all? Justice, fairness, and doing what is right. Learning and applying these concepts requires working with the collective. As soon as one person, party, or segment believes they are completely right in their position and demands everyone to follow, they are no longer supporting freedom nor seeking justice.
Consider the freedom sought by that the colonists sought through sacrifice and revolution. But consider also that the very same country that was their revolutionary enemy, later became America,'s greatest ally in world affairs.
Consider that. Our enemy became our friend. That is fundamentally where freedom can take us if we manage it properly individually and as a community.
In light of this Independence Day, I pray for America today and every day. I pray that we all can freely exercise our choices in ways that maintain the rights and responsibilities of everyone, and for the good of all.