Fireworks & Community

John Adams, a lawyer, the first Vice President, and the Second President of the United States, was one of the members of the Second Continental Congress who signed the Declaration of Independence. He wrote to his wife, "I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games; sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."

As I watched fireworks today on July 4th I once again had feelings of being a part of something bigger, something more important than just my obscure life - part of America.

It's good to be an American, not that we are inherently better than any other citizens of God's earth. It's just good to be a part of a nation blessed so magnificently by God.

God intended His creatures to be a part of community. We are intended to enjoy God's plan for community in family, church, neighborhoods, cities, counties, states, nations, and we should even see ourselves as part of the world community.

Community should be celebrated from time to time. Today we celebrate the God-given community called America.

John Adams was right - Independence Day "ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games; sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."