“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.” President John Adams in a letter to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776.
Living overseas for 5 years taught me more about patriotism than the 23 years prior that I had growing up as a privileged American. Living in an oppressed western African nation where freedom and liberty are just a dream showed me how blessed I was to have been born a citizen of the United States, and especially a southerner. More than ever before I began to appreciate how profoundly awesome it is to have the RIGHTS to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I came to fully grasp what so many of my forefathers sacrificed just to live freely, speak freely, worship freely, expect justice, and to possess an equal protection of the law.
Because of my years abroad, the 4th of July is no longer just a day off for me. Its no longer about a party by the pool with friends & family or a day of fun on the lake. It will never again be just a day of cookouts, parades, & fireworks. Independence Day for me will hopefully always include those things, but only in celebration of the liberties & freedoms I so abundantly enjoy, at the great expense of so many during the last 232 years, and by the immeasurable grace of God Almighty.
As I sit here writing this all I want to do is thank God for His wisdom, grace, love, and mercy in guiding the creation of this magnificent country. At the same time I feel compelled to beg His forgiveness for my sins and the sins of my country. Everyday I see changes in the way we live our lives, gravitating towards what mankind wants and further away from what God intended. I firmly believe that our social fabric is at stake if we continue to separate ourselves from God’s ways. But also, the degree of liberty we enjoy today is dependent upon Americans believing in a transcendent moral order for the way in which we live. I believe that America is exceptional, not because we made it that way, but because we experienced God’s undeserved blessings upon this nation.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
When we say, “God bless America,” we are asking God to treat our nation better than we deserve. The inclusion of God in America is what has historically been the best part of our country! The precious gift of God’s blessing is what has set us apart & made this country so extraordinary. And still seeking His blessing is a way of making sure that we can define our future in new and more promising ways. It is also a way of honoring the words in George Washington’s eloquent farewell address: “Religion and morality are indispensable and our national greatness, unless we allow them to be subverted and obliterated by secularism.”
But no oration or prayer I have to offer is as powerful as the ones given each year on this day to our Representatives by the Congressional Chaplain. This one in particular spoke to me today and was delivered July 2, 1969 to members of Congress on the Senate floor by the Rev. Edward L. R. Elson:
“We thank Thee, O God, that the freedom we celebrate in coming days is not an attainment, but an obtainment that it is Thy precious gift to man as part of his createdness. We thank Thee for the daring of our forefathers in reclaiming their “ancient rights.” We thank Thee, too, for the heroes’ valor, the patriots’ devotion, the prophets’ vision, and for all the blood and sweat and toil by which our freedom was purchased. As we commemorate our national independence accept again the declaration of our everlasting dependence upon Thee. In all our joy and thanksgiving enable us to remain a nation “under God,” and give us grace and goodness to minister to mankind in His name. Amen.” (Source: Congressional Record-Senate, 91st Congress)
Amen, indeed. May God continue to bless America.
