As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, imagine being free from the hate, cynicism, and anger choking our nation.
Are you open-minded to a fresh revelation from the Declaration of Independence?
Millions of people are reflecting on what has made this nation unique. Political opinions differ. Cultural views differ. Yet one phrase from the Declaration of Independence continues to unite Americans across generations: the pursuit of happiness.
America’s 250th Anniversary and the Declaration of Independence
“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
Four Often-Overlooked References
Over the years, Americans have debated the role of faith in public life.
However, one fact remains beyond dispute. The Declaration of Independence itself contains multiple references to God and a Creator.
That raises an interesting question.
If we celebrate the Declaration as one of our nation’s founding documents, should we spend more time reflecting on its ideas?
Nature’s God: The authors recognized God as the source of existence.
Creator: They affirmed that God is the one who endows us with rights.
Supreme Judge: They recognized their accountability to God.
Divine Providence: They realized that God is our protector and defender.
Why America Feels So Divided
I’m concerned that government institutions are increasingly excluding God from public life.
- In 1980, the Supreme Court said you cannot display the Ten Commandments in the classroom.
- In 2004, the Court ruled that they cannot be displayed in courthouses.
If we celebrate the Declaration as one of our nation’s founding documents, should we spend more time reflecting on why the Declaration repeatedly points us back to God?
Why not post the Declaration of Independence in every classroom and in every courthouse and . . .
- underline God
- underline Creator
- underline Supreme Judge
- underline Divine Providence
Would this Supreme Court outlaw the Declaration of Independence?
What America’s 250th Anniversary Teaches About Happiness
So, are you ready to rid our country of all the hate and anger?
Here’s a fantastic formula for happiness.
It’s creatively and intentionally framed inside the Declaration of Independence.
- Affirm God as your source of existence.
— “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life, breath, and everything else. From one man, he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts 17: 24-28 - Affirm the Creator who designed the law of love to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.
— “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” Gal. 5: 13-15 - Affirm accountability to God and each other as a nation.
As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, perhaps the greatest celebration is not fireworks, but rediscovering the truths that first gave this nation hope.
Which part of this formula do you think America has forgotten?
Stories like this are part of the reflections I write about life, resilience, and purpose explored on my About Stephen Blaising page.