A More Perfect Union

 

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. ~Proverbs 16:3

We spend the evening of July 4th viewing consecutive shows on Fox News highlighting events happening on the national mall and around the country as everyone is gearing up to celebrate our 250th birthday.  Danny and I know we can't possibly stay up for the grand finale of fireworks as we have church the next day, but we certainly enjoy what festivities we do see, especially the earth-shaking fly-overs, and we admire the thousands who are braving the sweltering heat to secure their place on the mall to hear our president speak and watch the momentous fireworks which will ensue.

Then the unexpected, unwelcomed interruption occurs.  A thunderstorm with lightning is fast approaching.  The news anchors who are broadcasting from an open, raised pavilion are swiftly ushered into a safe trailer, dubbed the Freedom Bunker, which also serves as protection for musical guests, celebrities and, most importantly, WWII veterans who are to be honored on stage later that evening.  In a twinkling, the carefully choreographed coverage has all but dissolved and the challenge of thinking on their feet reveals just how talented and versatile these Fox News anchors are.

The ways in which they interact so seamlessly and congenially with the people into whose midst they are thrown displays to a person their genuine concern for and interest in others and their stories.  More than once, Danny and I find ourselves exchanging looks of amazement at everyone's candor and friendliness as the coverage, now more personal and meaningful, takes on a life and energy all its own.

From the singing of God Bless America by the 106-year-old Cpl. Wilbur "Jack" Myers to Jason Crabb and Michael W. Smith belting out Awesome God in an impromptu duet, to the excellent rendition of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by a talented trio of ladies dressed like the Andrews Sisters, we are blissfully afforded a sneak peek at the entertainment we would have seen later that evening if we were night owls.  Danny and I repeatedly remark while watching this spontaneous, unscripted version of our nation's birthday is the best, most memorable, we've ever seen.

We witness, in real time, the very embodiment of American resilience.  The lightning may flash and the thunder roll along our nation's journey, but our belief in a sovereign God and the freedoms only He can guarantee will never be defeated.  United as One Nation Under God, we can celebrate our 250th birthday and look forward to the next 250 years with the hope and confidence that only comes from the Lord.

Let us pray that with each passing day, we become that more perfect union that our Founding Fathers envisioned for our great nation so many years ago.

Amen!