The story of Juneteenth, which commemorates the final act of freeing slaves in America on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas reminds us that true freedom is a journey, not just a destination. In the US, we celebrate this holiday on Thursday.
The holiday comes against a global backdrop of war, rumors of war, and the stark reminder that people live in bondage all over the world.
Today is a day for champions, for men who stand up as heroes for their families, their cities, their nations. Men all over the world are struggling to protect their families today--from bombs and rockets in Iran and Indonesia, from guns and kidnapping in Cambodia and Thailand, from marauders and jihadists in Nigeria and other hotspots across the globe.
What do we as men do?
One of the most inspiring American stories is that of Ottis Flake. In 1939, a mob set fire to his Fort Worth Texas home, which was located, incidentally, right down the street from my son Brandon's church. Ottis protected his family. They made it out alive.
Later, his daughter Opal became a champion for "Juneteenth" celebrations across the state of Texas, which eventually spread across the nation. What seemed impossible became possible.
Ottis and Opal's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It is a story of courage and conviction.
As men of God, this is our hour to be heroes. This is our hour to pray for the nations. This is our hour to mobilize to help men in the world's hot spots.
What's the best way to help? To disciple other men. To help them become warriors and champions for their own families, for their cities. We never know if, eventually, the men and women we're praying for will reach entire nations.
On a day when we commemorate the freedom of friends and neighbors in free nations, let us not forget those men who are not yet free.
On a day when we commemorate the overcoming struggle of one father and his daughter, of one family in a significant American town, let us not forget that God still performs miracles. A Christian Iran? A Christian Cambodia? A Christian Congo?
Why not?
Let us pray for the thousands of Christian prisoners in nations like Eritrea and Sudan.
Let us resolve to be the men who rise as champions to bring the freedom of Christ to every man in every nation.
Commit to living boldly and courageously with resolve and courage for the One who sets ALL men free.
