This Fourth of July is a special one. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, many of us will gather with family and friends for cookouts, fireworks, and traditions we've enjoyed for years.

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Here at East Side, we're celebrating a milestone of our own as we mark 75 years of ministry this summer. Both anniversaries are reminders that looking back can be a good thing—not to dwell on the past, but to remember God's faithfulness through every generation.

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As followers of Jesus who live in the United States, it's right to pause and give thanks. We can thank God for the beauty of this land, for the freedoms we've experienced, for those who have faithfully served and sacrificed, and for the countless ways His grace has been evident throughout our nation's history. Every good gift comes from Him.

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But as we celebrate, Jesus gently reminds us to keep our hearts centered on something even greater.

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus paints a picture of what it looks like to live as citizens of God's Kingdom. He calls us to be salt and light. To love our neighbors—and even our enemies. To pursue humility instead of pride. To trust our Heavenly Father. And above all, to seek first the Kingdom of God.

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That's a good reminder on the Fourth of July.

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We can be grateful for the country we call home while remembering that our ultimate hope isn't found in any earthly nation. Before we're citizens of the United States, we're citizens of God's Kingdom. The gospel wasn't sent to one nation—it was sent to every nation. Jesus came so that every person could become one family in Him.

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That truth gives us a bigger reason to celebrate than fireworks ever could.

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So enjoy the holiday. Spend time with family. Laugh with friends. Watch the fireworks. Thank God for His blessings.

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And while you celebrate 250 years of our nation's story—and 75 years of God's faithfulness at East Side—remember that the greatest story is the one God is still writing through His Church. His Kingdom is growing. His gospel is changing lives. And He invites each of us to be part of what He's doing, right where He's placed us.

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Happy Fourth of July from all of us at East Side! May your weekend be filled with gratitude, joy, and a renewed desire to seek first the Kingdom of God.