Dear Friends of the Chapel,
As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, I think of the many ways people have given their time, talents, resources, and even their lives to create freedom and equality and opportunity for all people. So many chose to “bring cups of water” to others through their leadership and service. Had servant leaders not been in our midst, I doubt we would have lasted for 250 years. At some of our lowest points, sometimes very ordinary people have risen and sacrificed and given and shared in ways that made all the difference in our survival.
There is a saying: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Although this statement has been credited to 18th-century Irish statesman Edmund Burke, this exact statement is not in his verified writings. The closest citation appears in 1916 in a speech by Rev. Charles F. Aked. Whoever said it, I believe they were sharing words Jesus could have easily said, words that God would echo to us all.
Each of us has been given the gift of freedoms in this country. It is essential we exercise those and protect them, as well do whatever we can, whenever we can to “bring cups of cold water” to those who are struggling.
I love our country. I am so very thankful, especially to people who literally laid down their lives to protect our country and freedoms. How will we help to ensure others have these freedoms now and in years to come?
Samuel Sumner wrote, “Our lives are a gift from God. What we do with our lives is our gift to God.”
In many ways, we could say, “Our country is a gift from God and everyone who helped to build and protect it. What we do with our country, is our gift to God and all those who lived, fought and even died for it.”
As we celebrate our 250th birthday, may all of us listen to what God is guiding us to do, be, say and create. May our thoughts and actions be pleasing to God and honor our ancestors. May we remember:
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” I Corinthians 2:12
Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Donna