Independence Day

When was the last time you blew something up?

I remember growing up in the city. You got the best fireworks in Chinatown! So we went down there the day before the 4th of July and bought firecrackers, bottle rockets, cherry bombs, sparklers, and ground spinners.

We would be so excited that we could hardly wait till the next day. What this day truly represented (freedom for America) pales in comparison to what kids celebrated- the ability to do what they wanted for a day, bbq, have fun, play outside all day, and to make a lot of noise and blow some stuff up with their fireworks.

So we embarked upon this journey finding the middle of a city street in our neighborhood to begin the firework show. We would use Coke bottles, garbage found on the street, dog mess (don’t act like you don’t remember) to help enhance the special effects of our firework show! The higher the stuff flew in the air the greater the response from the crowd. The louder the bang, the more excited the participants and onlookers would be.

Now fast forwarding to your adult years and now having a relationship with Christ; we are in a constant battle with the devil. He is desirous of killing us (John 10:10), but we must learn to fight him back with some weapons of our own (Eph 6:10-8). It’s amazing when we were young we always looked to blow things up, but now in our Christians walk, we don’t like the noise. Well war is loud! It’s costly, and it’s strategic!

Instead of you always being on the back end of a bomb that the devil shoots your way, why not send a bottle rocket (praise report) his way, of how long it’s been since you’ve taken a drink or went out ‘clubbin’, or missed a Sunday in church. Why not drop a cherry bomb in his direction by getting rid of that depression, addiction, or excuse for not caring for your kids. Why not at least light a sparkler, telling him that “by faith” you believe that the Lord is going to work your situation out for your good!

It’s that time again. When you hear the fireworks going off, be reminded that you’ve got to set some stuff off this year! It’s been awhile, but it’s not hard to relearn how to ride a bike. You’ve just got to get back on. It’s the same with your praise, Go down to your spiritual Chinatown and decide what you are going to blow up this year, even this day. We need more spiritual noise and more worldly things being destroyed.

I hear the lighting and the forthcoming BANGGGGGGGGG…. in the spirit!
Pastor Kirkland A. Smith