Happy 4th of July. I hope that among the parades, barbecues, and fireworks you will take time to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy. Remember also that freedom has two sides: the one side that we celebrate and enjoy and the other side that bears the scars brought on by the high cost with which our freedom was paid.
One “freedom” story that is as dramatic as it is unusual involves a young Vietnamese girl named Kim Phuc*. Recognize her name? I didn’t either. But if I showed you a photo taken when she was 9 years old, you’d likely recognize her at once. The iconic photo, taken by 21 year old AP photographer Nick Ut, captured a terrifying moment in time, as this young girl ran down the street naked, having torn off her clothes that had been set afire by the napalm bombing of her village in 1972. The image was so terrifying, it sent a shock wave around the world; some say it contributed to a quicker end of the war.
“I always remember that horrible day that we ran from life to death,” says Kim, now 52. She talks of hating the photo that captured her anguish and terror. That day left Kim with disfiguring scars and pain that continued far after the war had stopped. After numerous skin grafts and prolonged hospital stays, she finally recovered from her wounds. But the emotional pain of being associated with the famous photo continued to follow and embarrass her. You can imagine how she might have become angry and bitter.
Instead, something amazing happened. She found freedom from her bitterness and pain.
After studying scripture, she became a Christian at the age of 19. “When I became Christian, I had a wonderful relationship between me, and Jesus, and God.” And then another amazing thing happened:
“I learned to forgive.”
Thankful for her relationship with God and for her life, forgiveness allowed her to focus on what she had gained, not just what the photo took away from her. She had survived. She gained a new relationship with Jesus and a life mission to help others. Her personal choice to forgive became what she calls her “path to peace.” Today Kim Phuc works as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations and has started a charity to help children suffering from war. “That’s why I’m really thankful that I had that picture taken and I can work with that picture for peace.”
There was no freedom in war; only death and destruction. There was no freedom in recovery; only scars. But a personal relationship with Jesus brought new life and real freedom that came through forgiveness: God’s and hers.
As we give thanks for those who have paid the price for our freedoms, let’s remember there’s another war that was won our our behalf, the one that was settled at the foot of the cross.
Are you really free? Or does a painful past continue to scar your life? Real freedom is found in forgiveness. Running to freedom is our path to peace. Run to Jesus and find in him much more to be gained than what you have ever lost.
* You can get the book about Kim Phuc, The Girl in the Picture, here.
