America. Today I sit here on the 250th birthday of the greatest country to ever exist, contemplating current issues and remembering the great sacrifice our founders made. Our founders were not exactly poor. Many of them were among the wealthiest men in the country. By today’s standards, they would have been considered among the ultra-wealthy, or the top 1%. They still risked everything and put their own names on the line. I believe too many Americans take this for granted in our current age. Benjamin Franklin, while addressing Congress in 1787, said he was sure that God governed in the affairs of men. He was talking about how many miraculous events took place over the course of the Revolution. I believe George Washington was sent by God to lead this country out of revolution, just as Moses was sent by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Washington was a military man most of his life and wanted to be a British commander but couldn’t achieve the position despite being overly qualified—and a staunch British loyalist. This turned out to be the worst decision the British could have made. Did they not know Washington was known to be bulletproof? Was this an accidental mistake by the British, or divine providence? I’m not saying Washington was Jesus; I’m just saying the Lord used him and worked through him to enable the founding of this country. “One nation, under God” is in our Pledge of Allegiance, but I have thought about it. Do they mean our nation is physically under God, or that God always comes before country? I think both are true, but I lean toward the latter being the correct interpretation. Our founders did not intend for us to war with Britain. They attempted every way of redress they could. They were left with no other option but to wage war because war came to them. I think people forget this today. Anytime small grievances arise (although they may feel big to us), we invoke the fact that our founders revolted as if that gives us permission to take up arms anytime we feel like it. Many people can make great arguments for an armed rebellion in our current situation. Maybe I might agree with them. What I will tell you, friend, is that our founders—without as much formal education as many have today—were geniuses and wise beyond their years. They created a government that wards off tyranny, not one that creates it. It is unlike any other form of government past or present. It is the only form of government that admits to the fallibility of man and declares God-given, unalienable rights. This is something that is worth fighting for, and always will be. No matter what trials or tribulations we may go through, we will always make it out the other side if we keep our faith in God. Happy birthday, America, and God bless this country, the men who built it, all who defend this country—in the trenches, on the front lines—fire departments, police officers, all first responders, the men who keep this country flowing with energy, and those who lead us. Amen.
