A note from Pastor Andrew

A Reflection on the 250th Anniversary of American Independence

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

This part of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence, was, and remains, a powerful witness to the resolve, not only to its authors, but to all who offered themselves in service to fulfill that declaration. It is a familiar verse that I have heard echoed lately in our present political climate. However, the line before is not cited nearly as much and I can understand why.

“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

It could be, and has been, used to minimize people’s frustrations and to invite citizens to suffer. Maybe equally unpopular for some is the scripture from whence its sourced: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1). And yet, it does not mean that one must suffer in silence. Jeremiah exhorts the political and religious authorities of his day who downplayed the danger of their decisions. “They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:14). Jeremiah, as others, live in a tension to “pray for the peace” of the city they dwell and at the same time acknowledge when it is lacking. Despite the anger and frustration, and the suffering he endured, he didn’t resort to violence, he resorted to prayer, fasting, and weeping.

As Christians, we too live in that tension; one foot in a kingdom on earth and the other in the kingdom of heaven. But as long as we live on this earth, let us “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” So as citizens of the United Sates of America, pay your taxes, vote for the taxes you want, the leaders you want to legislate them, and the change you want to see. As citizens of heaven, “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” God bless you, and truly, God bless the United States of America to also be a blessing to others.

-Pastor Andrew