Freedom from Want, the Thanksgiving print. One of my favorite paintings, created by Norman Rockwell and made alive in my grandparents' home. Rockwell made this as one of four "Freedoms" in conjunction with President Roosevelt's State of the Union address in 1941. Freedom of speech and expression; freedom of worship; freedom from want; freedom from fear.

We crave freedom. We want to be able to say what we have to say and have it listened to. We want freedom to worship as we please. We want freedom to not be in need - freedom to provide for ourselves and our families. We want freedom from fear, when we can trust people around us and not have to live on the defensive.

These freedoms, and our desire to be free - they come from God. He made each of us in His image, those who believe in Him and those who don't. We have rights because He gave them to us. We can read through Proverbs and find that He desires us to be diligent, provide, and live cheerfully. We can see in Genesis that He gives us land to work and cultivate. In Leviticus we see His laws that protect and provide for His people. In the Gospels and Romans especially we see the ultimate freedom, freedom from sin through Jesus Christ.

It is because of our Creator that we can maintain earthly freedom as a good thing and desire to have it. Freedom for me, freedom for you.

This, my friends, is why it's important to fight for freedom. We fight for freedom because it's what God desires. Unjust rule and reign is contrary to what He wants.

"For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man" (Psalm 5:4-6).

Celebrate Thanksgiving this week, and may it be joyful. 🥂