July Letter 2007

July is most typically associated with “freedom.” The upcoming celebrations which will soon resonate around our country may remind us of the historic battles, “founding fathers”, monumental institutions, and trumpeted principles of our country. In last month's newsletter I commented about my perceptions of “freedom” in our country today, and about the liberty we can embrace through our faith in Christ as the realization of God's unconditional Love. I will shy away from more talk about freedom, and instead offer my thoughts and reflections on our country's history and what that means for our future.

The discipline of “History” has a peculiar way of providing differing and even opposing interpretations for our future direction and the subsequent action such a future would entail. We often look to our foundations and invoke the authoritative voices of our “fathers” as a way to navigate the turbulent waters of the current times: “What would G.W. (that's George Washington for the more affectionate) do?” What would he do? Unfortunately we don't have “G.W.” around to ask. But I wonder if it would matter? Is it best to cling to the “old ways” of the past? Is it better to abandon the past and look for a “new path” into our future? My answer to these last two questions is no and no, and yes and yes.

“The ways of the past” and the “new paths” of our current times are equally important informants for our collective future. Both must be considered, thought about, reflected on, and in conversation in order to successfully stand the test of time. Without “new ideas” and daring risks our country would not be here today. But it is also true that our country has survived by developing an identity grounded on lasting principles and traditions. We celebrate the fourth of July because we celebrate the America of the past, the America of the present, and our hope for the America of the future. In this we can celebrate all that being “American” has come to mean.

I hope to suggest that the future has never been identical to the past, and that as a result the future is always new. However, I also want to suggest that the future never leaves the past behind. Rather the future lives with the past whispering to it as it forges ahead, gently offering its advice, lessons, and tools for hopeful success. Let us not forget the voices of the past, and let us not shy from the new adventure of the future.

We cannot find ourselves living in the two extremes of past and future and sacrifice the integral connectivity between the two. The past is not necessarily better than the future. Societies do not inherently get worse as time moves on. But it is also true that societies do not inherently get better as time moves on. The future is not necessarily better than the past. What makes societies good, bad, or otherwise is the very path they trod as time goes on. I believe that our perspective and attitude regarding history can lend itself to interpret America's place in history in a prideful, arrogant way.

I fear that America suffers from an “Arrival Complex”: stopping in our path to admire where we are and forgetting to continue. This is the condition that distorts America into an “end” in itself. America is “it.” We, as Americans, have what we want and believe everyone else wants what we have. There is no need for improving ourselves because we are the standard, the measure of accomplishment. We are “developed”, “industrialized”, and “1st World.” We stand in the path to welcome others to us instead of moving onward together, sharing the ruggedness of the way.
Unfortunately this complex prevents us from fully realizing our own potential. We cannot be so bogged down with our past that we forget it was, and still is, taking us some place. It is toward that end that we—America—are a means. We must turn our thoughts toward the future, remembering from whence we came, and seek to arrive.

Imagine the greatest architect in the world pausing to admire her work and checking the blueprint to complete the task. Adjustments might need to be made. Corrections might have to be worked in. All of this is helpful and good. But while pausing, this carpenter does herself a disservice by scoffing at her assistants, contractors, and team, and confusing her greatness with the project itself. Her greatness will help create a masterpiece, but the project transcends her contribution.

We too can pause to see where we've come, what we're doing, but we cannot forget that we have somewhere to go. “Arriving” requires the arduous task of continual improvement through humble self-reflection and assessment. In this way we can move along the path. Yet just as tomorrow is never today, so too we have never arrived; instead we are always arriving.

May the path of our country, our community, and our church be a path of hope, love, and peace. May we remember the principles of our founding, the struggles of our history, and the hope for our future. America is not a beacon of light, but a bearer of light chasing a beacon. May we not forget that America has not arrived, but is always arriving.