“Without vision, the people perish.”
The term “road to war” often refers to the lengthy and complicated process in which various factors, actions and decisions lead to a decisive outcome. This concept can be applied to the events leading to our nation’s decision to fight for independence. Along this “road to war,” two competing visions of rights, freedom, governance, control and status emerged: the American vision and the British vision. It wasn't until 1783, nearly eight years after the pivotal events of 1775 at Lexington and Concord, that a peace treaty was finally signed in Paris.
The future during those eight years was often uncertain. It required strong leadership and perseverance to navigate the long, dark years of conflict. The struggle for freedom from British rule came at a significant cost, with an estimated 49,000 individuals on both sides of the conflict losing their lives to combat and disease. As these differing visions clashed, homes were lost, communities became divided, neighbors turned against one another, and the loss of loved ones forever altered families on both sides. Without a clear vision, the dream of freedom could have easily perished.
Dwight D. Eisenhower once stated, “Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of people, and so it must be daily earned and refreshed — else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.”
Today, the church is called upon to share the uplifting message of hope and foster genuine freedom in all its forms — religious, physical, emotional and mental. Its mission is to uphold human dignity and spread compassion, reaching those who need God’s love, empathy and acceptance. While this journey is often demanding, it is also deeply rewarding, requiring strong leadership, resilience and perseverance.
On July Fourth, please take a moment to give thanks to those who have traveled these long roads, both now and throughout our nation’s history, as well as for the sacrifices made along the way. Celebrate independence and freedom with a prayerful spirit of gratitude for those whose vision helped to create a better future.
The Rev. Dennis Hysom, the executive director of Presbyterian Federal Chaplaincies and a retired Army chaplain
Let us join in prayer for:
Jashalund Royston, Research Analyst II, Research Services, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Carol Rusciano, FDN Trust Officer, Presbyterian Foundation
Let us pray:
Lord, as our Savior loved us enough to sacrifice his life for us, may we love others enough to sacrifice for them. We pray for all in the church who seek to bring God’s word of hope and love to a world seeking meaning. We lift to you our Veterans Affairs, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and Department of Defense chaplains serving far and wide, asking you to guide them in their daily service to you. Amen.
The term “the road to war” is defined as the long and complicated process where various factors, actions and decisions lead to an outcome. This term can be applied to the events leading up to our own nation’s decision to fight for independence. On this “road to war,” two divergent visions of rights, freedom, governance, control and status clashed: the American vision and the British vision. And it was not until 1783, nearly eight years after the events in 1775 at Lexington and Concord, that a peace treaty would be signed in Paris.
