One morning last week, when I was in my bathroom getting ready for my day, I began to hear a ticking noise.

tick… tick… tick…

I thought I was losing my mind until I realize it was the clock on my counter. I had never noticed the second-hand actually making a ticking noise as it moved around. I generally have music going – which would explain my not having heard it before.

I quickly became mesmerized by this ticking hand. With each tick I watched it move around and around. When all of a sudden it became quite clear to me that I was watching my life go by.

Each tick was a second of my life i wouldn’t get back.

tick… tick… tick…

Of course I don’t spend hours, days and weeks staring at a clock. But if just that one morning I could easily watch seconds of my life – fly on by – it got me questioning. What am I doing with the other seconds of each day that so easily pass me by?

John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

He isn’t just something to get us to heaven when we die, but He came here for us to live a better life, freed from the slavery we once had to the sin that ruled our lives.

tick… tick… tick…

I got to thinking about freedom. The freedom bought by the blood of young men, who died for our country 235 years ago. Did they not die so that we might live and live abundantly as well?

I am not comparing or equalizing the sacrifice between the Life of Christ and those of lost soldiers, but the parallels are interesting in the context of being an American.

With Independence Day just a few days ago, a lot of people have asked the question, “what are you doing with your freedom?” I ask the same question but more so, in the context of John 10:10.

Don’t let him steal the life that is rightfully yours to live abundantly.

tick… tick… tick…