Today is American Independence Day, celebrated as the birth of a new kind of nation, now 245 years old. It's declaration of this independence was carefully crafted to present a clear statement of human rights and freedom as the foundation of a "new experiment" in government.
"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."
The process of living these formative ideals over the last 245 years has of course brought need for clarification, amendments, challenges, conflicts, and maturation. Times change and with them their demands. On a human level, we continue to struggle to actually live and demonstrate our highest ideals. As I was reflecting on those struggles over this time of Pandemic and the political upheavals that have come with Covid-19 across the globe, I ran across an essay by one of the early leaders of New Thought, Emmett Fox. His essay was written in 1942, at Christmas, a year after the attack on Pearl Harbor and America's entrance into WWII. Here is an excerpt from his Christmas message:
"Christmas has come around once more, and we find the nation passing through a time of great testing. Today the American people are called upon to prove their faith in God, and in those American principles which are written in our Constitution. The response has been magnificent. Every section of the community has demonstrated its unshakeable resolve to make every effort toward the great Victory that we know will be ours. People do not speak of making "sacrifices" today, for we feel that to forego, temporarily, some of our liberties and some of our comforts, is a privilege and a high honor. Above all...we rejoice in the knowledge that we can help those we love with our prayers, realizing that they 'who dwell in the secret place, abide in the shadow of the Almighty'--and that they can throw the protection of their prayers around their loved ones. "
These words are not about specific facts. This is affirmative prayer in a time of heroism and grave danger for many, and yes, actual sacrifice, not just for this country, but for the world. Here is the practice of claiming the highest spiritual truth that flows from your heart, as a prayerful declaration. Now, we are in a delicate balance on many issues in this country--the Pandemic variants and vaccines, our relationship with the world's nations and populations, and our planet's ecological changes. Consider your personal prayer for your country and community on this 4th of July, 2021. Think of it as a prayerful birthday wish from your heart. What gift of grace do you affirm for America? Speak your word. Amen. (Susan Nettleton)