Besides the local celebrations of Canada's 150th birthday, television gave us the opportunity to share in the national festivities of this important milestone in Ottawa, at the very heart of our nation. Since we had children and grand-children who were attending the event in their epic cross-country summer journey we kept looking to see them participating in some way - in the end, to no avail.
Amidst many meaningful speeches by our national official dignitaries, one couldn't help but be impressed by the very festive and positive spirit of these celebrations. Despite the large political differences that do exist across our nation, we are certainly united in our appreciation of many attractive features of what it means to belong to this country.
Though there may be some complaint at times about our long, cold winters, there is little doubt that most of us are deeply grateful for the pristine beauty of our plains and mountains, our many lakes and rivers, our forests and fauna, our beautiful wild animals, and of our coastlines and oceans. Especially, at this time of year, we love the recreational opportunities that exist right across this great land.
And beyond all these physical attractions, we also share a deep sense of gratitude for the personal freedom we enjoy living our lives and raising our families in the context of a relatively well-managed sense of peace and security. While not ignoring the pressing social needs that exist in all of our communities, we love the sense of economic well-being and prosperity there is in our land. And it's no accident that we also enjoy a high standard of health care and excellent educational opportunities.
At a time like this, we would do well to recognize however, that despite the magnanimous contribution of many people, these blessings we enjoy today are not really so much because of our own doing. We should be humbled by the fact that God has given us the privilege of living in such a great land.
It's obvious, for example, that none of us have the opportunity to determine where we will be born. Admittedly, the outcome of where we live is the result of many variations in human activity. Yet we should remember that ultimately God is the one who forms the nations to exist as they do.
Many years ago, in Athens, St. Paul, speaking to the religious pluralism of that time had this to say about that: The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth...(and) he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live (Acts 17:24-26).
So celebrating Canada, it would seem, really begins with humbly recognizing and thanking God for it.
