Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

By WHITNEY SPARKS
Baptist Progress Writer

​“Freedom isn’t free. It comes with a cost that people will bear for the rest of their lives,” said Chaplain Candidate Anthony Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy knows the cost of freedom firsthand, as he witnessed limited freedom overseas during his time in the Army Field Artillery.
 
Chaplain Stephen Willis shared a similar sentiment when he said, “Men serve overseas so we can enjoy our freedom.” As a chaplain for the Texas Prison System, Chaplain Willis has seen the effects when freedoms are stripped away. He said, “Those men [in prison] don’t have freedom. When you don’t fulfill your law as a citizen, you bypass your freedom.” Mr. Willis has learned to cherish his freedom and never take it for granted from observing prison life.
 
Listening to the love these men held in their hearts for the freedoms we possess as Americans filled my heart with pride as I thought of my son, a patriot, who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy. A few generations before him, my grandfather served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, where he was captured and held as a prisoner of war for over a year.
 
Mr. Kennedy was right. Freedom is not free!
 
There was a time in history when colonists feared Great Britain would take away their freedom. Risking everything, these colonists banded together to defy the most powerful nation on earth. Together, on July 4, 1776, these same men wrote their beliefs in a document entitled The Declaration of Independence. In an effort to rally the troops, win foreign allies, and announce the creation of a new country, the United States of America, the delegates declared, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Abraham Lincoln referred to The Declaration of Independence as “a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression” (National Archives, 2026).
 
It is apparent these “men were inspired by God to write the Declaration of Independence,” said Chaplain Willis. He added, “We should be proud of our heritage and even more proud to call ourselves Americans. We should thank God for the hedge of protection He has placed over our country.” As Americans, what can we do to ensure these freedoms live on?
 
Examine the American flag, a symbol of freedom. The 13 stripes represent the number of colonies that separated themselves from Britain as a united front against King George III. The red stripes represent valor and bravery, while the white stripes represent purity and innocence. The 50 white stars represent the states that formed our great nation. Last but certainly not least, Old Glory blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice (USAGOV, 2026).
 
We can pray for our nation, remembering to thank God for freedom from religious persecution. Chaplain Kennedy noted that the principles laid out in the Declaration of Independence allow believers the “freedom to grow in God’s Word,” which is far different in foreign countries where followers of Jesus Christ face severe persecution. We should use our religious freedom to “stand together and make a difference for the Kingdom of God.” Chaplain Willis shared a similar perspective, “America was established as a Christian nation. We have gotten away from our roots as a Christian nation. We should get back to lifting Christ up.”
 
The greatest example of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is Jesus.
 
In John 15:13, Jesus told His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” He knew the sacrifice required to give us eternal freedom. He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and no one can come to know God without first accepting that they are a sinner in need of a Savior (John 14:6). This Savior, Jesus, was the only one who could pay the debt we owed.
 
It is because of religious freedom that men like the BMA chaplains can fulfill their mission. We can pray for these men as they “go into all the world,” preaching the gospel, which is the BMA Chaplaincy mandate according to the BMA Global website. These chaplains speak and communicate in faith through preaching, counseling and staying in touch with other people of faith. Pray for men to answer the call to serve as chaplains in hospitals, the military, first responders and prisons. Also, pray for ways your church can be involved with the chaplaincy program.
 
If interested in learning more about BMA Chaplaincy, please reach out to the director of the chaplain program, Dr. Scott Carson, at 601-433-4736 or email [email protected]. Dr. Carson is willing to speak about the chaplaincy program at your church or event. You can find more information regarding BMA Chaplaincy at https://bmaglobal.org/chaplaincy/.

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