Pilgrims

 

 

Somewhere in time, November 11th 1620, the Mayflower Compact was signed onboard the Mayflower, off the coast of Massachusetts. This was America’s first written form of government.  This week, we had elections.  For me, this is work. I have to research the candidates and where they stand on critical issues and sometimes it’s hard to find out that information. At the same time, this song by Toby Mac, “City on our Knees” has been running through my mind. The chorus says, if we have to start somewhere, why not here, if we have to start sometime why not now. It made me think of the Pilgrims.

The Puritans knew things needed to change for them. They had to leave England because they were experiencing religious persecution.  The first stop was the Netherlands, but they were worried that they would lose their British language and customs.  When they heard about a boat seeking passengers for a trip to the New World, they decided to go.  They wanted things to change now and this was their best way to make that happen.

They were heading to Virginia to join a group that had originally landed in Jamestown.  The plan was to be in Northern Virginia.  I don’t think they realized how far north they were. 

Heading to a place they had only heard of, they didn’t know exactly what they would find when they arrived.  They were determined to create a place where all would flourish. When they arrived, they knew they had to do something, why not now. Gathering all the people on the boat together, a simple plan of government was created. They wanted to establish a government where people of faith were free to worship as they pleased and the laws were fair to all.  

This week, with elections, reading all the propositions and state constitutional amendments. It amazes me these two groups of people were able to work out a plan they all agreed to.  The entire compact is not overly long, there were no written arguments for and against presented alongside.  It was created by a group of people that agreed they would need to work together to survive. 

The Mayflower Compact acknowledged King and Country, but it also acknowledged the sovereignty of God. Every male on the boat signed the agreement. Not every person on the boat was there for religious freedom, but as a group they agreed what was important. This allowed the group to survive an extremely hard winter. Many died and many others became sick, but in the end the new colony grew and prospered.    

Sometimes I think we need to start over and simplify thing.  Let’s acknowledge the sovereignty of whatever Nation we live in but let’s give honor to the God who is over all our first priority. Perhaps then, we can survive the storms of life and work together to make our country great once again.

Psalm 33:12 (NIV) “Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”