“The
American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor, and a
builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.” John F. Kennedy
When was the last time you heard a news
report or commentary on what’s right about America? Maybe on the 4th
of July or some other national holiday, you might hear or see posts about what
people love and appreciate about America but it’s not the normal fare. Both
left and right-wing media increase ratings by highlighting what’s wrong with
America. Even Christian organizations use crisis and impending doom to raise
funds.
Please understand, that America has its share of problems but what country would you rather live in? If
America is so bad, why is it that so many from other countries seek to
immigrate here? In fact, over three
times as many people immigrate to the U.S. than the next most popular country
which is Germany. Both Canada
and Australiahave have half of even Germany's numbers who seek to immigrate there. In spite of the benefits
of socialism and Marxism that are sometimes spouted as improvements over our
system, very few actually immigrate to socialist or Marxist nations.
God’s people are to be grateful and He wants
us to be thankful for the many blessings He’s given us (James 1:17) in America.
That’s not to say that there aren’t problems that need to be addressed, yet our
spiritual health and witness is affixed to our grateful outlook for His
blessings. This is why most of us need to limit our media intake and even
social media. It’s often mental junk food that directs our minds toward anger,
anxiety or depression. If you narrowly focus on the news, economics, morality,
and politics in general, then you’ll overlook the many blessings that God has
given us in America. Let me share just a few of the many blessings we have as
Americans.
We have freedom of religion. Around
the world eight believers are martyred every day and 182 Churches are ravaged each
week. More than 360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution for
their faith. Many Christians worship in secret in fear of arrest. Very few have
Bibles.
Slavery was a horrible cancer in America and Britain.
If it had not been the freedom of religion, it might still be legal today. Slavery
is driven by a love for money and profitability. Horribly there were Christians
who worshipped money more than God and neglected that God had created every
person as Imago Dei, (made in the image of God). But the Quakers got it
and even before the Constitution was ratified protested against slavery and
wanted it abolished as part of the Constitution. British statesman, William Wilberforce,
fought to end slavery until his death. There’s a connection that in the many countries
where slavery is still legal or “illegal” yet allowed, none have religious freedom.
Because of religious freedom, philanthropic organizations like Goodwill, YMCA,
the Salvation Army, and countless hospitals were started by religious
individuals.
We have economic freedom and
opportunity. Why do so many immigrate to America? Because it’s the land
of opportunity. You can have any job that you want. You have the right to own
property, including your own home and car. You can own your own business. One has
the freedom to produce, trade, and consume goods and services acquired without
the use of force, fraud, or theft. While we unfortunately have increasing
governmental oversight, entrepreneurs still thrive and are successful.
The Sugar Bowl Bakery founder Andrew Ly fled Vietnam
after the U.S. pulled out in 1975. After living in a Malaysian refugee camp, Ly
arrived in the U.S. with just a dollar to his name in 1979. In 1984, Ly and his
four brothers pooled their savings and opened the Sugar Bowl Bakery, which went
on to be a $400 million dollar business. Iranian-born Ahmad Meradji, the CEO of
Booklogix moved to America from Iran at 21. After working as a busboy and doing other
menial jobs, he climbed the corporate ladder and in 2006 started his own
self-publishing service, Booklogix, which today is worth $4.5 million. America
is the land of opportunity.
We have a
justice system that protects the rights of individuals. While our justice
system has problems, it surpasses that of much of the world. One can’t be
arrested without cause. Most Americans in an emergency will still dial 911 and
be confident that law enforcement or emergency personnel will come to their
aid. We have laws against unlawful detention and discrimination and the right
to a speedy trial with a jury of your peers. There is to be impartiality amongst judicial officers. Discrimination
against women and the violation of fundamental human rights is illegal.
We have a representative
form of government. Though all
of the political advertising can be irritating, we have free and open
elections. We have an open government that
shares information, empowers citizens with tools to hold the Government
accountable, and fosters and encourages the participation of its citizens in
the deliberation of public policy. If a law or situation is unjust, we have the
right to assemble and protest. Unlike in many countries, peaceful protesters are
not arrested, beaten or shot.
We live in the land of plenty. While there is a supply chain shortage and some items
are either difficult to obtain or more limited or more costly than in the past,
the shelves of our grocery stores are still filled. Not only that there are
multiple grocery stores to choose from, not to mention fruit and vegetable
stands and farmers’ markets in nearly every community. We have so much that there
are thrift stores and discount stores that sell second-hand goods of items that
others have discarded.
Compared to much of the world even those in
poverty are “wealthy.” The word poverty
suggests destitution: an inability to provide a family with nutritious food,
clothing, and reasonable shelter, yet only a small number of the 35 million persons
classified as “poor” by the Census Bureau fit that description. Most of America’s
poor live in material conditions that would be judged well-off compared to much
of the world. 46% of all poor households actually own their own homes. The
average home owned by those classified as poor is a three bedroom house with
one and a half baths, a garage, and a porch or patio. 76% have air
conditioning. As a group, America’s poor are far from
being chronically undernourished. Even our poor are not as poor as much of the
world.
Does America have problems? Yes. Yet, we have
countless blessings given to us by God and we need to thank Him for His
goodness to us!
Can
we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out
more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at
262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life,
I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My
Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy.
Please include your mailing address.
