Freedom

I voted a few days ago. Quite honestly, I wish it all was over months ago. And, regardless of today’s outcome, we will go back to bickering and blaming instead of building.

My prayer for our country is not one of liberal or conservative blather and posturing. It is one of power in working together towards a common end. Not having to have our way but listening to one another in order to achieve a common purpose of the life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness of a commonwealth. Not insisting that we are right. It is a prayer of being vulnerable.

A wise man recently reminded me of the words of Teddy Roosevelt (again, this is not partisan.)

THE MAN IN THE ARENA
from "Citizenship in a Republic" 1910

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Do not settle for anything less than living out your Baptismal Vows today.

Celebrant      Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People          I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant      Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People          I will, with God’s help. 

Celebrant     Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People          I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant      Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People          I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant      Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People          I will, with God’s help.