Standing tall above this great land of ours has always been the Twin Sisters of Liberty and Law. Like majestic gold statues glimmering in the noon-day sun, Law and Liberty for generations shed light upon the course of the American Experience.
The immigrants that left behind the tyranny of the motherland, to board upon vessels and brave the dangers of the ocean passage, were emboldened as they pursued liberty under the protection of the law. As the pioneers trudged and trekked Westward, they carried these same values with them, over the mountains, and across the plains, pushing ever westward as they pursued their dreams.
Still today, we sing in our Patriotic songs, like “America the Beautiful:” “O beautiful for pilgrim feet, whose stern impassioned stress, a thoroughfare for freedom beat, across the wilderness. America! America! God mend thy every flaw. Confirm they soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.” Or, “My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light; protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King.”
Law and liberty are interwoven into the American experience. But when we look carefully at the anthems that we sing, we realize that our song-writers are not assuming the blessings of God, but rather beseeching God to bless America despite our flaws and mistakes. Is it possible that in our pursuit of Liberty and Law we have forgotten our Lord? Are we still a nation that is Under God? Join us Sunday, November 12, at 11 AM as we consider the topic “Under God?”
