And so this political campaign and season comes to an end – the results to be determinedshortly. We have not prevailed.
But our mission – win or lose – is not complete. We have only begun.Again, the central concern on so many hearts:
What Kind of America, what kind of a World, Do We Want the Next Generation to Inherit ?
As political seasons come, we return to the dance – where issues and candidates compete and swirl around – vying forattention and consideration. Sometimes announcing, often demonizing, ever declaring “pick me, pick me!”
And once again, we find ourselves and others manipulated and even lied to. We listen, but are not always listened to. We hope – a little; We trust – a little; We believe – a little.
But mostly, we are disappointed and disillusioned that seldom does anyone speak real Truth or address the overriding Dilemmas of our age. And so, we do the dance and often become indifferent or calloused to the messages and messengers.
Messages of division and distrust; selfishness and distortion; manipulation and mendacity – the meanness that divides into us vs. them, appealing to our baser motives and lesser selves, even to hate our neighbor, rather than build bridges.
Yet, I submit, We long for a return to Hope; to real strength and real Faith – Faith in something more than ourselves. We look for Respect – both to give and receive; for Integrity and the Trust it begets. We yearn for Servant Leaders – who offer civility and sacrifice and a humanity so absent in the selfishness of this hour.
Where is the statesman, the leader, the selfless voice who would summon and represent our better selves? Who would do so without embracing the corrupting influence of power and money, or reveal an irritating ego and ambitionthat is never satisfied.
Will we ever return to the ethic that challenges everyone to: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!”? Or will we continue to descend into depravity and the dependency bred by our apathy and acceptance of the deceptive path of entitlement and mediocrity –that embraces the one who offers the easy path or the most “benefits” they can grab in exchange for increased control and conformity to their imposed will; who hides in pretense their true motives – All to get re-elected and retain power.
How is it that we have abandoned the noble and good for the fleeting security of power and privilege, or even free stuff? When did the siren song of compromise and complacency cause us to surrender our humanity on the altars of convenience and callousness? To even dare to sacrifice innocent life for the sake of our personal expediency, instead of uniting tosurround that woman with love, empathy, support, kindness, and grace in her time of greatest need.
In spite of all our troubles and challenges, our disagreements, and positions pale in comparison to this one malady of our society and people: We are a divided, disillusioned, and conflicted people who have lost hold and even sight of the primacy of this one thing: Our Very Soul! Our essential Humanity! Of the Good!
And conflicted as we are, we default to conflict and discord rather than harmony and understanding.
Oh, that Our Soul, our very Heart, would be reborn and reclaim the essence of our humanity and the transcendent, authentic Human that instinctively knows the path of Life and Love – that cries out daily for the real security of acceptance, respect, morality, honor, forgiveness, and grace.
Our heart and our character compel us to believe in the goodness and dignity of others – but our choices too often drive us to unwelcome and destructive paths. Only in trial and adversity do we sometimes blossom and reveal the essence of real love, sacrifice, concern, compassion, and humanity.
Yet our society would rather embrace the Evil and attractions of the hour than the power of Love, which is to say, we have ignored the Sovereign Lord God and His perfect plan for each of us.
And as we return to the question of this hour:What Kind of America, what kind of a World, Do I Want the Next Generation to Inherit ? … we pause and reflect – perhaps praying that we would someday choose wisely the answer – because we know it matters.
Oh, please, I pray that the answer is pure, noble, praise-worthy and of good report. That, please God, our children will not inherit the wind … The consequences of our poor choices, lust, pride, and arrogance. That we will awaken and teach them wisely as we protect them from Evil.
At the outset, our Founders set forth their objective and purpose:
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do establish and ordain this Constitution for the United States of America.
Armed with this framework and theirfirm foundation of faith in God that bound them together, these builders and believers established a bedrock of direction, justice, and humanity to guide us forward, as they committed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.This was their legacy.
How can we do less? We must not!
The charge before us is obvious, and it is now being played out around our nation.
It is now time, my friends, to embrace and reaffirm the message of our foundation, and most certainly of the Christ who left His Word, His Way, and very presence to discover, deliver, follow, and sustain.
We are all God’s creation – Created for His glory and perfect purpose. He has called us all to live out our lives in Love and for His Divine Will. And, this day, He has called out new leaders to join those holding positions of decision-making –
Calling each to Unite; to Commit; to Care; toHumble themselves as they Sacrifice and Serve– for the common good.
Only then, my friends, can this great and good God Hear from Heaven and Heal our Land. It begins with each of us.
From the outset, you have heard me say:
I am driven by my Faith – by my Hope – by my Love. These three ….
MyFaith, Hope, and Love of God;
My Faith, Hope, and Love of my Family;
My Faith, Hope, and Love of my Friends and Fellow Man;
My Faith, Hope, and Love of our Country and this fragile World – with our many challenges; and
My Faith, Hope, and Love of the Future.
These compel me, now and always:
This is the legacy that I Pray the Next Generation will Inherit!
Let us not grow weary in doing good!
There is so little done – so much to do.
Storm clouds gather and perilous times lie ahead.
We will need one another. Work ‘til the night is over.
Thank You and God Bless You! I so love you all –
