“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.”
This statement from the Declaration of Independence is considered by some as part of one of the most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language. Its sentiment has been the goal of this nation ever since. And to a large extent that goal has been achieved. Our forefathers have crafted a democracy wherein greater and greater numbers of people have realized these “unalienable rights.”
Because of this our nation is recognized as the “Land of Opportunity.” People from all over the world seek to become citizens. At first came Europeans who then brought African slaves. Greater and greater waves came from Europe fleeing famine and wars. Latinos are now a political issue as were the Irish and Italians before them. It is interesting that Orientals coming into the country now outnumber Latinos who are doing so. How the nation deals with waves of immigrants is up to the politicians we elect. We, however, are responsible for how we deal with them. May we Christians not neglect the word of God to the Hebrews, “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:34-35)
As we celebrate the Fourth of July we need to thank God, as I often do, for being born in the USA through no fault of my own. We can claim no special merit for where we were born. We give God the glory for our good fortune. We can understand why others want to share in our good fortune.
Grace and peace.
This statement from the Declaration of Independence is considered by some as part of one of the most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language. Its sentiment has been the goal of this nation ever since. And to a large extent that goal has been achieved. Our forefathers have crafted a democracy wherein greater and greater numbers of people have realized these “unalienable rights.”
Because of this our nation is recognized as the “Land of Opportunity.” People from all over the world seek to become citizens. At first came Europeans who then brought African slaves. Greater and greater waves came from Europe fleeing famine and wars. Latinos are now a political issue as were the Irish and Italians before them. It is interesting that Orientals coming into the country now outnumber Latinos who are doing so. How the nation deals with waves of immigrants is up to the politicians we elect. We, however, are responsible for how we deal with them. May we Christians not neglect the word of God to the Hebrews, “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:34-35)
As we celebrate the Fourth of July we need to thank God, as I often do, for being born in the USA through no fault of my own. We can claim no special merit for where we were born. We give God the glory for our good fortune. We can understand why others want to share in our good fortune.
Grace and peace.
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