Short Take: Reflecting on America at 250

Seek peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its peace and well-being, you will have peace. - Jeremiah 29:7

I was three years old in 1976, and I have scattered memories of the 200th anniversary of the United States of America. I’ve always grown up with a sense of appreciation for living here and making a life for myself. Yet, as time progressed and as I began to (re)learn history and understand power, I see the importance of lamenting the evil, while protecting and building upon the good that so many died to create.

The United States of America is an experiment to demonstrate that a government shaped by the voices of its people is possible. And at our best, America has added great value to making the world work.

As I reflect on the 250th year of this brave experiment called America, I hope we can get out of this race toward the past that we seem to be in. I hope that we can return to working together for solutions that benefit us collectively. The work of shaping a just America is still a work for the people, and the people who speak for us, and I believe we can all rise to it. And as we do, may we become a people who remember with honesty, repent with humility, and rebuild with courage.