John Adams wrote his wife that July 2nd was a day that would forever live in the hearts of Americans. He saw it as the day things really started and the 4th was just when they finished the start. (Oddly, though, he would die 50 years later on the 4th of July, the same day as Jefferson.)

Whether we celebrate it on the 4th or the 2nd, it’s a day that we celebrate freedom and liberty. Like Thanksgiving, we sometimes forget what we’re celebrating as we get distracted by all the trappings.

This week (on July 2nd!) we were treated to a great show of freedom. Maybe you saw this on the news and read the stories about how secret agents of the Columbian government infiltrated a band of rebel terrorists who had been holding hostages—some as many as 5 years—and freed the hostages without firing a shot. What a great story (and one I am sure will be made into a movie soon)!

Did you get to see any of the film of the former hostages as they walked to freedom? They were tired, they were beaten (literally), and malnourished, but all you could see on their faces as they exited the plane was excitement and joy. They probably still ached physically, but they were so excited to be free that all thoughts of physical discomfort were gone! Even if momentarily, they were gone.

Maybe you’ve never experienced that (I know I haven’t), but I hope over these last few months as we went through Psalm 23 (meticulously) you have gotten a glimpse of what I’m talking about in a spiritual sense. We all carry around a lot of baggage. Bags marked “fear” and “shame” and “pride” and “worry” and “past sins” and … on and on.

We carry those with us and they drag us down. Some of us know what it’s like to have knee or ankle problems because of the excess weight our frame is carrying. All of us know what it’s like to have spiritual problems because of the excess weight our spirit is carrying.

It’s time to set those bags down. It’s time to declare our Independence Day!

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (NIV)

What happens when we don’t set those bags down? We get tired.

When I was about 13 years old (or so, I can’t remember) I went to see my sister, who was living at the time in far eastern Oklahoma. She had a job as a “tower lady” for the forestry service. Every day, she would climb up into this really tall tower and watch for signs of forest fires. If she saw a sign, she’d call it in. Anyway, while I was there her husband came home after being in Texas for a few days. I offered to carry in his stuff, which was in the back of the pickup. I grabbed a couple suitcases and carried them in. Then I went back and got this one bag that turned out to be very heavy. I lugged it inside, afraid it would break, but proud of being able to accomplish this “feat of strength” and set the bag in my sister and her husband’s bedroom.

Later, my brother-in-law saw the bag and started laughing. See, that bag (thank goodness it didn’t break!) was his garbage. So, I had to carry it back out to the truck.

Lot of carrying for something that didn’t need carrying, huh?

We carry a lot of useless garbage in our spiritual life and it gets us so worn down that we can’t pay attention when good comes our way.

Admit it: some of us are so tired this morning—from physical and spiritual exhaustion—we can’t really remember the Lord’s Supper from fifteen minutes ago. We remember that it probably happened (because it happens every week), but we can’t remember what Gerald said about it or if our hearts were in the right place when we took it. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to be invited to a luncheon at the White House (in Washington, you’re always welcome at my house) and then nod off during the meal? Well, you’ve been invited to the Lord’s table, to partake of his body and his blood. Isn’t that exciting?!?

We stand up for some of our songs—to get the blood flowing—but when you think about what worship is: proclaiming the message of Christ and partaking in God’s love—wouldn’t you think we’d be standing on the pews to make our proclamation?

The Kansas City Chiefs football team released word this week that fans would no longer be allowed to stand during the football game. How long do you think that ruling’s going to last? On the rare occasion that KC actually scores, do you think their fans (who are some of the most rabid in pro sports) will just calmly sit in their seats, maybe clap softly like the people at a golf match? No way! They’re going to jump to their feet and cheer! Who cares about the consequences?

Let me read that definition of worship again: proclaiming the message of Christ and partaking in God’s love. I think the reason we don’t jump to our feet like those football fans isn’t just because we’ve been taught a sense of solemn decorum in regards to church, but because we’re so encumbered with spiritual baggage that we can’t stand up.

What baggage is holding you down (and back) this morning?

Is it a desire to always be in charge? Check out these words: The Lord.

Is it that you don’t feel like anyone cares for you? My shepherd.

Do you find yourself always discontent because of stuff you don’t have? I shall not be in want.

Are weary and burdened, lacking sleep at night and by day exhausted? Lie down in green pastures.

Are you thirsty for water because your soul is dry and cracked like the soil around here? Let God lead you by (and to) quiet waters. Let him restore your soul.

Does it seem like your biggest bag is some sin you just can’t shake? You’ve tried to beat it because it’s hurting your marriage or you’re afraid it’s going to damage your kids? Let God guide you on the right paths not for your sake, but for his.

What’s fear doing to you? As you watched loved ones succumb to cancer and heart attacks and old age or maybe “just” a car wreck, do you worry about your own mortality? Let one who has walked through the valley—and even died!—show you the path to a blessed eternal life.

Do you fear the evil in this world? Then stop trying to beat it back with your own wits or your own strength and trust in someone who is completely free of evil and has the tools (rod and staff) to conquer it. Find comfort in his strength instead of your own.

Is your stomach upset because of your worries? Let God prepare a table for you that will make even your enemies envious (and remind them they are already defeated!)!

Are you scratched and bruised and itching because of all the battles you have fought and the things that have gone wrong? Let the Great Physician pour some soothing oil on your infirmities and heal you.

Afraid that, now that you’ve come to Christ he’s going to turn you away? Look at your cup. The Master is filling it to overflowing, which is his way of saying, “Stay! Drink with me. Be my guest forever and ever!”

Worried about what’s following you? What sins might catch up with you? Take a better look. That’s goodness and love (or mercy) that’re following you. They’ve got your back.

Set down your bags. They’re just encumbering you for the trip. All but two bags. I’m going to remind you to hold onto two of them—two strange bags to keep—loneliness and homsesickness. You’re lonely because you were created for a full-time relationship with God and you haven’t quite gotten there (not perfectly, anyway). And you’re homesick because this isn’t your home. You were created to dwell in God’s house and in God’s presence for all eternity and you’re going to be a little bit lonely and homesick until you get there … but you’ll get there!

We’re going to hear Psalm 23 a lot in our lives. And most of those times will be on sad occasions, like funerals. But I want to encourage you, when you hear Psalm 23, to take not just comfort in the calm words, but joy in the message!

Freedom! We’re going home!