America: Land Of Opportunity
A tale from yesteryear. The People of God were slaves in Egypt. They cried out to God to save them; He did. The people saw God’s hand in the seven plagues; they saw his hand in the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaohs’s army. Then, God’s people found themselves in the wilderness; a strange land, a harsh land, facing an uncertain future. God had promised them that He would lead them to a “Land of Promise.”
Now the people had the opportunity to see God’s promise fulfilled; to follow God’s servant, Moses, to the Promised Land. All well and good — not so. The people were divided; some chose to go with Moses; others chose to return to slavery in Egypt; some chose to settle down right where they were. Moses led the first group to the very borders of the Promised Land; it took them two years to get there. Now, the people had the opportunity to enter the Promised Land and take it for themselves. All well and good — not so.
God’s people looked over the Jordan River into the Promised Land; they saw obstacles instead of opportunities; they refused to enter the Land of Promise (except for Joshua and Caleb, and a few who trusted God’s promise). As a result, God condemned them to wander for 38 more years in the wilderness; none of those who refused to enter the Promised Land did: They all died in the wilderness. They missed the opportunity of a lifetime. Only those who chose to believe God’s promise to them did enter and did take the Promised Land.
Fast-forward to today. God has blessed America. America is the Land of Promise, the Land of Opportunity. Every person in this great nation has an equal opportunity to conquer, to succeed, to overcome, to live the good life. Irving Kristol writes, “Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions; it does guarantee equality of opportunity.”
God offers every person an equal opportunity to enjoy a life that if rich, full, satisfying and fulfilling. Yet, like those ancient Israelites, many people today choose to live in slavery. Boss Government, through a variety of programs, strips people of their independence, robs them of their self-respect, takes away their personal responsibility, denies them the blessings of work, and keeps them subservient slaves. Like those who returned to slavery in
God offers every person an equal opportunity to enjoy a life that if rich, full, satisfying and fulfilling. Yet, like those ancient Israelites, many people today choose to live in slavery. Boss Government, through a variety of programs, strips people of their independence, robs them of their self-respect, takes away their personal responsibility, denies them the blessings of work, and keeps them subservient slaves. Like those who returned to slavery in Egypt, many people find it easier to let Boss Government take care of their physical needs, easier to allow Boss Government make their decisions for them, easier to let Boss Government pay them not to work.
Egypt, many people find it easier to let Boss Government take care of their physical needs, easier to allow Boss Government make their decisions for them, easier to let Boss Government pay them not to work.
It was Thomas Edison who wrote: “Opportunity is missed by most people because … it looks like work.” Those ancient Israelite took over the Promised Land because they struggled, they worked hard, and they fought to overcome all the obstacles they faced. The easiest way to miss an opportunity is to blame someone else for you situation, to revel in self-pity, and to become too lazy to take advantage of the many opportunities that come your way every day.
America is still the Land of Promise, the Land of Opportunity. Not everyone starts out at the same place or on the same level. Everyone can, however, reach the same heights of success. The secret is to work hard, study hard, set your goals high, and strive to make your greatest dreams come true. The opportunity is there.