“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.”
So begins the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. These immortal words lay the foundation upon which our government is laid. Government is not here to give you rights. It exists to protect the unalienable rights that the Lord instills. July 2nd, 1776 was the day that the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from England and 2 days later the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed by John Hancock.
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…” Rightfully so, these words are still emblazoned in the hearts of our children as they learn the history of these United States. This phrase appears early in the Declaration because it was not the experience of the colonists. This holy triumvirate of rights had not been the experience of the colonists. In other words, you don’t declare independence when everything is going well—you do this when things are so egregiously bad you need to start something new.
Stating these rights the way they are in the Declaration makes them both foundational to what it means to be human and aspirational of all that the Founding Fathers hoped America might become. This founding document of our republic casts a vision. It paints a picture that supports and undergirds the people as they pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Other portions of the Declaration describe how the British government had prevented these pursuits. In this sense, the document establishes the basis for and looks ahead to a government that underpins these pursuits.
In short, a visionary statement declares something about your reality as well as pointing ahead to the aspirations of a group. This is true for Prince of Peace as well. Last month I shared the finalized Mission Statement of Prince of Peace—the activity that we focus on as a congregation. Today I share with you our Vision Statement. If we commit to living our mission, this is the goal and vision that we will achieve together.
Drawing upon our faith in Jesus Christ, and his example of love, we live what we believe, and grow the kingdom of God throughout our community.
This vision statement paints a personal and communal impact inherent as we achieve this goal. It impacts you in living and putting into practice what we believe to be true about Jesus. But it isn’t just for you—Jesus changes you so that you can change the world beyond you. Our community is both Prince of Peace—faith and life in Jesus ought to shape and color the way we live and serve together as a church. But also the community beyond our walls. As a church, we exist for those beyond our walls, not for our membership.
Prince of Peace was planted at 257 Highway 314 in order to be a beacon of light and hope to our county. We can’t light up the darkness without Jesus. He is the source and strength. And the Lord sends us to radiate out to light up our community and grow the kingdom. Throughout our history we have done this. And the story is the same for our future. Go. Love your neighbor as yourself. Let your light shine. It is our history, our current reality, and the hope for which we aspire. Thanks for your partnership in living this thus far. Here is to living into it further. Starting today. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of God’s Kingdom.
