As the Supreme Court wraps up the 2021-2022 term, eyes have been opened to what we have to celebrate on Independence Day, a core document that conveys the beliefs we aspire to as a nation and outlines the structure of government that provides necessary checks and balances. It has been said that the Declaration of Independence, was the promise made on July 4, 1776, and The Constitution of these United States was the fulfillment of that promise.
The Constitution has provided the foundation for the American experiment. In the aftermath of the Civil War, in Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln honored the soldiers that sacrificed their lives in order “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” The experiment had endured and matured into the American way of governance.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:12-14. Paul took nothing for granted. It had been quite a journey. He grew up a well-educated Jew, had status as a Roman citizen and made a name for himself as a zealous persecutor of those following the Way. Then Jesus “took hold” of him. From that point on, Paul focused on one thing, “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal …” Paul endured and matured. Parallels can be drawn to America. We are to take nothing for granted. Our journey has not always been pretty or productive, but we press on toward the goal stated in the Constitution – “We the People … in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity…” As a nation, we have endured and matured. Similarly, as dads, we are to take nothing for granted. The Lord states our goal clearly in Malachi 2:15, to “raise godly offspring.” The state of society reflects a journey that has fallen short of His expectations. It is time to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, and press on toward God’s goal for dads. Accept the charge across July to read Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and read the Constitution as a family. Include time to celebrate the unique aspects of our nation’s founding documents.
Tips for Family Discussion:
- Read a chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians together each week of July;
- Provide all with copies of the Pocket Constitution. Click HERE to obtain a copy;
- Tune-in to a free online course offered by Hillsdale College. Click HERE for access;
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and the grounding it provides for life. I confess that I have stood passively by as the culture introduced skewed concepts of freedom in You and in society. Forgive me. Help my family endure and mature as I renew my commitment to raise a Godly generation. Strengthen me to lead spiritually by example in forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, and press on. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father presses on toward the goal of raising a Godly generation.
As the Supreme Court wraps up the 2021-2022 term, eyes have been opened to what we have to celebrate on Independence Day, a core document that conveys the beliefs we aspire to as a nation and outlines the structure of government that provides necessary checks and balances. It has been said that the Declaration of Independence, was the promise made on July 4, 1776, and The Constitution of these United States was the fulfillment of that promise.
