Hubby and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this past spring. It seems not much is done to commemorate this notable milestone nowadays. Funny thing, I would think more honour would be given since marriages are falling apart all around us. I remember attending many silver and golden wedding anniversaries as a kid but times have changed.
As I think of all the years Hubby and I have walked together, our marriage prospers when we were on the same page; the hard times come when we are divided and in opposition to one another. I was also thinking of my sis, who married the same year as we did, and how her life took a different path than she was prepared for. If circumstances were different, we may have celebrated our silver anniversaries together!
The phrase, “United we stand, divided we fall,” has been running through my mind this past month or so. Of course, it has been in direct relation to our federal election campaign. I don’t bring up politics much but that does not mean I don’t have a passion for it! As I pen this column, only God knows the outcome of the 2019 election. My prayers, along with yours, have gathered in the golden bowls of heaven to be poured out in the proper time. No matter the outcome, we need God’s wisdom and guidance over this country to move forward in solidarity and peace. I believe no election has been as vital as this one in the last century.
“The Liberty Song”, first published in the Boston Gazette in July 1768, included the lyrics: “Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!” American Founding Father John Dickinson had penned those words in his pre-Revolutionary War song. Following in 1799, Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia and best known for the phrase, “give me liberty, or give me death,” gave his last public speech saying, “Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall.”
Matthew 12:25 references the danger of division which says, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” The Passion Translation says it this way: “Any kingdom that fights against itself will end up in ruins. And any family or community splintered by strife will fall apart.”
Sadly, I have seen this not only in politics but in churches, communities, families, marriages and friendships. Somehow, we need to lay our divisive issues aside to unite in the greater good. I can think of countless splits in churches that have come from division within. Marriages... just the same. And politics... let us see how this election pans out.
Walter Payton, who spent 13 years playing with the Chicago Bears in the NFL hit the nail on the head when he said: “We are stronger together than we are alone.” Unity is strength. Unity is valuable for every walk of life... at work, at play, in community, in church or state. I want to stir you up to greater unity in your relationships around you and in the part you play in your community and country. I want to encourage you to stick together through the thick and thin... to unite for the greater common good... to be patriotic, faithful, responsible, brave and dependable. Let us defend what our ancestors fought for... freedom and unity.
“Let us trust God and our better judgment...” United we stand... divided we fall. God Bless Canada.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
