My call to action is twofold: First, stop complaining about your problems, and two, take action in your personal lives. I like the phrase “local action has a national impact.” There are many examples springing up all across America. This is what further strengthens the foundation as well as the structures of our city on the hill.
In 1630, John Winthrop delivered a sermon on board a ship hazarding an Atlantic Ocean crossing. The congregation comprised people seeking to discover a new world and a new life. They were sacrificing everything, leaving their former homeland for a variety of individual reasons, but principally due to political persecution for their Christian beliefs.
According to “The Puritans: A Sourcebook of Their Writings,” Winthrop “preached to the emigrants that the eyes of the world would be upon them, that they would be as a city set upon a hill for all to observe.” If these faithful principles were true from the very origins of America, then from the very beginning, America has played a role in setting the world right.
Yes, America does differ from the rest of the world. From the laying of the foundation to building out our “one nation under God,” America’s strength is in our people. The foundation is not stone, concrete, property or even wealth.
I’ll leave you with this: Silent and humble prayer is the most powerful weapon on earth. To achieve victory, which some have described as “sweet communion” with our Creator, we have to pray for strength, courage and conviction for ourselves and for each other.
However, regardless if we are meek and lowly or wealthy and prosperous, we owe allegiance to our Creator and what comes with allegiance is standing up after prayer and acting — acting in good faith for ourselves, our families, our communities and most especially, our nation. But our actions must be moral, ethical, legal and peaceful. Maintaining the moral high ground is the surest way to achieve victory.
America was and will forever be the example for the world to see of that shining city on the hill for all faithful, freedom-loving people to seek. While our foundation remains strong and our courage remains immeasurable, our clarion call must now be to stand and demand accountability.
We must demand accountability first from ourselves and then from our communities and our country, especially our elected officials. Are we the people ready to stand to answer the call? I for one believe we are. May God continue to shine his light on this “city on the hill” we call America.