So what is the 4th of July all about as I look at the rain fall, most probably washing out a bbq/pool party today (and possibly again tomorrow)? How about this inspirational part of the NY Times Op-Ed Looking for Liberty:
It is romantic to think that Benjamin Franklin, the greatest printer of his day, was there in Dunlap’s shop to supervise, and that Jefferson, the nervous author, was also close at hand. If so, the Declaration was not only written by the founders, but perhaps set into type and printed by them as well. In every way they could, these ink-splattered geniuses willed the document — and by extension the republic — into existence. We’ll never know for sure. But as Franklin might have appreciated: print the legend.
Of course Looking for Liberty tries to point in the direction of the ways things most probably "really" happened. For all my historical interests, there is an intuitive, utopian longing for the rich mythology to be literally accurate and to be the first step in a long journey of holding 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. But it's just not that easy historically with regard to the publishing/printing of the Declaration of Independence, the extension of the above principles in our own nation's history, or the successful working out of similar ambitious experiments to throw off tyranny to establish self-government (whether the French Revolution or the various issues in countries throughout Africa to the present day).
Let it rain. Today is not all about the bbq's/pool parties, but instead a celebration of how we understand our relationship with our neighbor both local and international (and dare I say with respect to our Creator/Judge). Take some time to explore more about the Declaration of Independence (on a related topic, Ellen enjoyed learning more about Besty Ross), Day of Independence, Fourth of July, and the history of the celebration of the Day of Independence.
Join me in praying for justice from God the Father to rain/reign and bring peace on earth through His Son's Kingdom worked out through His people by His Spirit and through common grace, incomplete at this time but coming to full fruition. Come quickly Lord Jesus that we might have true life, liberty and happiness, received only in submission to the Father.
