KNOWLEDGE, HARD WORK, FREEDOM

"The founders also believed that education is crucial to offering checks and balances to governing leaders' power. Otherwise, the insidious loss of freedom, quite relevant to us today, will follow." 

Ben Carson, M.D.

America the Beautiful   Zondervan 2012

p. 65

 

Two oft repeated thoughts in Carson's book center around knowledge and hard work. Education doesn’t necessarily need to be formal. Throughout the last few years, I’ve heard over and over: Read, read, read. Read what interests you. Read what concerns you. I don’t typically read political books, but I am concerned—for America, for the Church’s fading effectiveness and influence, for the loss of religious freedoms, and for my own growth. So—I read. So—I write.

I missed, in growing up, the value of hard work. Of course, it was expected of me but I don’t believe it was presented to me with a tone of future or hope. In hindsight, I would have loved to have heard, “You can do anything! Dream big! Work hard! It’s worth it! You’ll be glad you did.”   

Ben Carson, not without some parental motivation, found hope and possibilities in books. (which I am finding in his) As he read about inventors (one of my personal favorites), explorers, industrial leaders, and entrepreneurs, he discovered a commonality—the desire to work hard in order to accomplish something.

I found, in inventors and colonial Americans, determination and endurance; a perseverance that would not let them give up. Surely, some did give up. Were they to be recognized in history, it might well be for being plagued by regrets and lack of fulfillment. Were we to interview them, we might detect blame or a victim mentality (attitudes I’m too familiar with). Dr. Carson would say to that:

“From all I observed around me growing up and all I read, I quickly realized that, in spite of the circumstances affecting you, the person who had the most to do with what happened to you in life was you.” (America The Beautiful  p. 68)

I wish I’d read those thoughts a few decades ago, but I’m trusting that God has brought them across my path, now, for a reason; maybe to share with you. I’d have never imagined myself to understand anything political or historical. But again, God. “For such a time as this” He has given me understanding and passion. I’m excited to see what He is going to do with it. If it’s for no other reason than for me to know that I’ve not gone down without a fight, so be it.

“By remaining ignorant,” writes Carson, “we shirk our democratic duty and open ourselves to slick politicians who usurp our rights. Some of the segments of our society who are most easily led astray are those with the poorest general education, which makes one wonder if those seeking political advantage are happy to maintain the status quo in order that the uneducated might be more easily manipulated.”

America The Beautiful  p. 65

Maybe you feel like it’s too late for you; too late to accomplish anything, too late to become involved, too late to have any impact in our/your world. It’s never too late. And for sure, not too late to pass it on—to grandchildren, neighbors, to generations that follow you.

EverGrowing,

Lonnie