An Experiment in Self Governance

One of the main themes from this Independence Day is the idea of "Self Governance" and how foreign that was during the years of our countries beginning.  Even today at Rooftop during our monthly emphasis on prayer, I took time for us to consider how unique America was at the time of it's formation.  Nothing like the United States of America had ever really been tried, let alone succeeded.  Prior to that, most countries and peoples were ruled by kings, dictators, conquering rulers, elite classes of privileged people, but not by the common man and definitely not enduring as our nation has. 

Interestingly enough, most of the world now believes that to be a civilized nation, one must have self-governance and some form of democratic rule.  Oh how 234 years can change things.  Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders, said the following about America after its founding:

The object of the republican form of government and of the principles that are essential to that form, is to enable a people to govern themselves to the most practicable extent possible. Not every nation of people are capable of self-government, and many expected the experiment of the Founding Fathers to fail. But it did not fail, and the experiment proved that an educated and enlightened people are capable of self-government. The question remains, however, the extent to which government by the people themselves may be extended.

This year I am so very thankful for the intelligent, idealistic, stubborn, and visionary men who saw what could become of a united colonies and all of the blessings and freedom that have been born out of that.  I go to bed tonight in peace, with no fear of invasion or reprisal because of my race, religion, political views, financial status, etc.  In spite of all of its failures, sins, and evils caused over 234 years of existence, I am so very thankful to God for allowing me to be born in this country and in this era with all of its blessings and challenges.  Moreover, freedom is a rare gift throughout any age, and one I hope to never take for granted.