Passing the Torch

“Do not fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have war, let it begin here!” – Captain John Parker

The morning of April 19th, 1775 saw a strange sight unfold. A sight that would soon reveal itself to the world and go down in the pages of history.

The minutemen on the Lexington green were the first line of defense. A small force (seventy-seven in number) of men and boys, farmers, a pastor and his parishioners, untrained in the art of war, stood shoulder to shoulder, ready to face six companies of well trained British soldiers…as a strong defense of freedom.

Then there was the shot heard “round the world”…and the fight for freedom began.

“Courage, then, my countrymen! Our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty.” -Samuel Adams, American Independence

When you leave this world, what are you hoping to leave behind for your children and grandchildren? Do you want to leave them something better or worse than you had? Do you want your children to have the same freedoms you experienced, or more freedoms? What about less?

The founders were not fighting just for their freedom, but for the freedom and liberty of those generations who were to follow. They lit the torch of freedom and passed it on to the next generation to be preserved and continued. Now it is our turn. This is our hour, our turn at the watchtower of freedom! What will we do with the torch that has been handed to us? If the Torch of Freedom is to remain lit and survive another generation, then it needs to begin HERE!

It begins on our knees. It begins in our churches. It begins in our homes. We need to beg God’s mercy on our nation, learn a biblical worldview and apply it to every area of our lives…then take these truths to the world, our communities, and become salt and light…shining out in the darkness.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16

Someday our chapter in the annals of history will be complete. What will be said of our generation while they stood guard? What will be our legacy?

Will it be said that the Torch of Freedom was extinguished on our watch? That we fell asleep on guard and allowed the enemy to sneak in and destroy without any resistance? Or will they say that, on our watch, the torch was lifted higher and shined brighter than ever before?

With all my heart, I pray it is the latter, and that is what I will fight for. What say you?