God Has Blessed America
How do you rationalize the spiritual and secular differences in your life? Some people may believe that spiritual things mean more to God than worldly things. This assumption could be concerning because most of our lives are spent at work, school, grocery stores and doing mundane things. Our time in church and prayer is a small portion of the necessary things we do each day. We should not compartmentalize God. The Bible reminds us that all of life is sacred! When people are filled with the active spirit of God in their daily lives, the path between heaven and earth is short.
The revelations and discoveries that make up the history of our world are amazing! I often wonder if people in the United States realize how incredible it is to be an American. Great sacrifices were made to bring liberty to the United States of America, and still continue today. This legacy should make us all proud!
Do you know who named America? Remember your grade school history lessons? Christopher Columbus discovered the land in 1492. He wrote a letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain about his accomplishment, and documented his experience with the native people. This daring discovery opened opportunity into uncharted territory. In 1499, the lesser-known navigator Amerigo Vespucci began writing accounts of his travels to the land Columbus discovered. Vespucci called it a “New World,” and his publications were widely read in Europe. New maps were drawn, and German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller used the feminine Latinized version of Amerigo to name the new continents of North and South America.
Written documentation provides us with facts for good reason. The Bible archives our salvation history with authenticity, tracing life to the beginning of creation. We rely on the accounts of explorers, scientists, and historians to educate us with their unique experiences. Revising historic facts by making moral judgment about past heroes and villains can be challenging. If Columbus had anticipated the sins he would be made accountable for centuries later, would he have ventured bravely into a new world? I wonder if his feelings were hurt about the naming of the territory he discovered.
Why do the heroes of one century become villains to future generations? There has been good and evil among us since the beginning. Even the story of Cain and Abel can teach us something about humanity. My love of history and writing evolved from a well-rounded education. Teaching facts helped me to appreciate the difference between success and failure, right and wrong, and the consequences regarding the spiritual and secular world.
We must have hope for the future of our country no matter how the events of the past are understood. The origination of political correctness has divided us into a war of words. The re-interpretation of the historical record should not contradict facts or distort reality. Acknowledgment, reparation, and compensation cannot be achieved for anyone; while everyone is against everyone, and gathering in safe spaces. Renaming national holidays, removing reminders of tragic events and blaming the past for the problems we face today do not make America stronger, or greater. Teaching young people to appreciate the value of American history might keep future leaders from becoming angry adults.
Soldiers of Christ triumph every day over the conflict between good and evil, spiritual and secular. This is how God blesses America! Our Lady of America, please hear our prayers! Amen!
