How was your Independence Day?

How was YOUR Independence Day?

Did you celebrate with friends? Family?

Did you barbecue? Travel? Shoot fireworks?

Did you celebrate?

Did you remember WHY we celebrated the Fourth of July?

The date represents our freedom as a country, as individuals, from those who previously held power over us.

While England's control over America is long gone, many of us remain in slavery.

The chains are invisible and some have been there since childhood so we don't always realize what bondage we are in.

I spent some time with Bobby yesterday, an older gentlemen with some mental and substance abuse issues.

He gets a monthly check so he is a prime target out in the woods.

Women play him like a fiddle and men ply him with alcohol when his check comes in. Within 24 hours, his entire check is gone.

"This girl is different," he tells me each month.

"No, Bobby," I reply, "she isn't. She's just like the one from last month."

He doesn't want to see it because he is so lonely. He desperately needs SOMEONE to care.

As a child, he endured violence and sexual abuse.

As an adult he lost two wives. One to another woman, one to his best friend.

With each loss he retreated further and further into his mind.

Alcohol and drugs became a coping mechanism.

He hasn't been free in years.

He admitted yesterday that he's on a path to drink himself to death. It isn't the alcoholism driving him, it's the depression.

Unfortunately, that is the case with many of the guys out here.

They've given up. They drink until they pass out, hoping they'll never wake up.

But Bobby was worried.

As much as he wants to go to Heaven, he's not sure that is where he'll end up.

Despite traveling 70 mph down I-10, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

With one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding his hand, I led him through a prayer of salvation.

I knew a cleansing was taking place as he cried through years of abuse and neglect.

He was being set free.

Sometimes we don't even know the bondage we are in. We think we are free, yet our independence is only a mirage.

But there is hope.

Freedom is attainable in Christ. He who the Son sets free is free indeed.

What about YOU?

Are you free?

Roll the stone away...it's Independence Day!