Where We Have Been, Where We Are, And Where Are We Going?

TO HEAR THE PODCAST VERSION FOR THIS BLOG ON RUMBLE CLICK HERE ElbertNasworthy

As we begin today I trust you and yours had an exciting and patriotic July 4th as we celebrated our nations birthday. So with that said I really hope you have read the blog post or listened to the podcast entitled “A Couple Of Important Topics” which posted a few days ago. I wanted there to be a transition from it to this one.   I actually had included this in the previous one but wanted to make a clear distinction between the two.

In this blog and podcast, I am focusing on 3 where’s, past, present and future.  I really want to give some perspective and encouragement to you as you listen or read this today.  I have written and shared this at the time of the 250^th Birthday of the United States in 2026.

The Where we have been question, is totally historical.  We all have a history but for today in light of where we are now, we look at the history of our nation.  I enjoy the study of history.  It is a great educator for people.  Lessons can be learned from the successes and the failures in history. 

As a nation, we have suffered failures but also great successes.  Fortitude and attitude have made this a great country.  Not everyone will agree with that conclusion.  That is their right, but it does not change the fact it is true.  These United States have weathered world wars, economic disasters, differing political views but has come out having weathered them all.

That gets us to the where we are question.  Is it any different than any time in history?  Depending in where in history you look back to, it may or may not be.  What history of 250 years has proven is that the experiment of freedom and rights in a republic has weathered the storms.  Benjamin Franklin's well-known response to Elizabeth Willing Powel question of what they have given us at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 was, "A republic, if you can keep it." Reflecting the delicate nature of the newly formed government and the responsibility of the citizens to maintain it. 

A republic in the Merriman-Webster Dictionary defines a republic as a form of government in which the power belongs to a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by the leaders and representatives elected by those citizens to govern according to law.  That is exactly what the first Continental Convention gave us.

We are responsible in this day to preserve what those who have gone before us gave us.  In order to live today and pass to future generations those same freedoms and rights enjoyed and experienced these last 250 years.

The more important question is where are we going?  Let me put this in a context I believe is one of the most fundamental of our day.  As we have celebrated liberty and enjoy its freedoms recently, not everyone believes it is the way forward.  That is a major error on their part.  It is who we have been and are that can provide for our going forward.

There have always been differing thoughts as to direction and what we should do as a nation.  Our system provides for those decisions to be those of the people.  Small and vocal minorities have over the history of time in the world ushered in terrible ideas and times.  When all voices are not heard then that loudest one takes the forefront.  I wish it were not so but unfortunately history shows that unless the majority are heard then disaster looms.

I don’t know and neither do you how many people there are who believe things that are being said by others.  There are words being used that might give the idea that there is a better way than we currently have.  I certainly don’t agree and have thought a lot about it and have come to some conclusions I need to share.

As of today, we all, as citizens, have rights and freedoms.  They are all the same for each of us regardless of age, sex, skin color, nationality, faith or any other distinction one might add.  How? 

We read these words found in the Declaration of Independence that-

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—-

We have a system of governance that provides through elections that the voice of the people be heard.  On the national, state and local levels, it is through elections that your voice and mine are heard.

I would imagine you already know what you believe and you're not going to change that belief. I know what I believe and there is nothing that will be said or done to change my mind.  So, when elections come, I vote for who and what I believe.  I always vote and I am imploring each of you to do the same.  Don’t discard the responsibility for any reason.  Don’t say your vote doesn’t matter because it does.  Don’t be afraid to vote or be indifferent about voting. Let your voice be heard.

What happens if you don’t?  Well, maybe loud voices of a few then make the decision you don’t agree with   because you didn’t do your part.  If you are part of a larger group which did not vote then those few loud voices prevail.  Chances are real good your won’t like the consequences.  Remember that elections have consequences.  Where are we going is question is answered after elections and time passes.  Were the right decisions made in voting?  Time will tell.

In closing let me ask that you vote in every election in which you can.  Know what you believe and vote accordingly.  Pray over your decisions.

If you are not registered to vote do so immediately.  Check with election officials in your county or state to find out how to go about registering and then when the time comes vote.

In God’s Grace,

Elbert Nasworthy