On Sunday, July 4, 2010, America celebrates her 234th birthday. On this day, beneath the 120-foot glass ceiling of the Crystal Cathedral (and seen on the televised Hour of Power), you'll witness the raising of the giant nine-story high American flag—the world's largest indoor flying flag. The presence of this huge flag awes persons into tearful and pride-filled silence. Why does this flag flown on this holiday inside this church affect our emotions in this powerful way?
It's because God Almighty, through his Son, Jesus Christ, has proclaimed unlimited freedom, liberty, and grace for all. Forever. His love is boundless, for...
"Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Corinthians 3:17).
The Bible is filled with stories of human beings struggling to grasp and apply the immeasurable value of God's greatest gift—freedom. Freedom from slavery (Romans 8:15). Freedom from selfishness (Galatians 5:13). Freedom to choose leaders (1 Samuel). The Independence Day event we commemorate on July 4 is a celebration of freedom—the freedom that inspired one of the most recent, greatest, and most successful endeavors to build a nation governed by values based on God's biblical truths.
America's Declaration of Independence remains an unparalleled example of Possibility Thinking...a goal on the horizon...clearly in view...sometimes within reach, sometimes not. Whereas the Declaration of Independence announced the intention, the United States Constitution became the framework for achieving the dream. And symbolizing all the possibility-filled ideals found in these two documents is the American Flag.
In 1973, Dr. Robert H. Schuller had an inspiration. He asked himself, "If the American Flag could talk, with the wisdom of nearly two hundred years of history behind her, what would be her words for us today?" With this unique idea as his inspiration, he wrote and delivered a message from the pulpit of what was then the Garden Grove Community Church, and it was seen and heard over his new weekly televised program, Hour of Power. He titled his new message:
"I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG."
The message was received with overwhelming ovation. It immediately earned the esteemed Principal Award from the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge for "the most outstanding sermon in the United States." This bronze medallion is still one of Dr. Schuller's most cherished awards. Since 1973, "I Am the American Flag" has been delivered several times on Hour of Power...and printed and distributed to hundreds of thousands of persons both in America and beyond her shores. The ideals of America still inspire hope in the oppressed wherever they may live.
