One July 4th found me flying across the country at nightfall. I remember looking down and seeing from above all these amazing displays. Ahead and behind silent bursts of manmade color punctuated the darkness.
As I write, explosions pop and rattle this night. Bibs, the dark calico cat, isn’t exactly afraid, but she comes in and asks for assurance. I lift her up on the day bed where she commences a thorough bath.
These nation-wide community fireworks commemorate freedom – the American colonies’ successful break from their mother country, Great Britain about 231 years ago. The rallying injustice was taxation without representation.
Today different injustices demand our attention. We rejoice that Alan Johnston, the British journalist kidnapped in Gaza and held for 101 days, was released today. His sudden freedom symbolizes the release of all who in some way are captive to circumstances beyond their control. Enslaved by tribes, cultures, or businesses taking advantage of poor families willing to sell their children for cash, people with no voice are yearning for hope and freedom.
So what can we do? What difference can you and I make? I think it has to do with how we view God. If God to us is infinitely good, caring, and powerful, then we have hope that things can be better. If God is Love, Truth, and Mind as well, then we can expect our prayers to contribute to finding practical solutions for universal fairness and opportunity.
The God who requires His/Her creation to honor and praise Him, also provides us with the ability to discover how to do that. It is man’s nature to treat others as we wish to be treated. Deep down we are not at peace with ourselves unless and until we align thoughts and actions with that life-principle. Our universal need to be humane and to honor the dignity of all life will work its way to the surface and demand expression.
All people need to be free – more than personal freedom to do anything – the larger freedom to employ our intelligence and ideas on a broader scale to make the world a better place. Each of us can weigh in for good.
As I write, explosions pop and rattle this night. Bibs, the dark calico cat, isn’t exactly afraid, but she comes in and asks for assurance. I lift her up on the day bed where she commences a thorough bath.
These nation-wide community fireworks commemorate freedom – the American colonies’ successful break from their mother country, Great Britain about 231 years ago. The rallying injustice was taxation without representation.
Today different injustices demand our attention. We rejoice that Alan Johnston, the British journalist kidnapped in Gaza and held for 101 days, was released today. His sudden freedom symbolizes the release of all who in some way are captive to circumstances beyond their control. Enslaved by tribes, cultures, or businesses taking advantage of poor families willing to sell their children for cash, people with no voice are yearning for hope and freedom.
So what can we do? What difference can you and I make? I think it has to do with how we view God. If God to us is infinitely good, caring, and powerful, then we have hope that things can be better. If God is Love, Truth, and Mind as well, then we can expect our prayers to contribute to finding practical solutions for universal fairness and opportunity.
The God who requires His/Her creation to honor and praise Him, also provides us with the ability to discover how to do that. It is man’s nature to treat others as we wish to be treated. Deep down we are not at peace with ourselves unless and until we align thoughts and actions with that life-principle. Our universal need to be humane and to honor the dignity of all life will work its way to the surface and demand expression.
All people need to be free – more than personal freedom to do anything – the larger freedom to employ our intelligence and ideas on a broader scale to make the world a better place. Each of us can weigh in for good.
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