It is one of the most famous documents in American history -- the Declaration of Independence. It was approved by the original 13 colonies on July 4, 1776. At 232 years of age, the United States of America is still in it's adolescence when compared to countries like China, England, Russia, . . . .
I've never known anyone who can recite the whole thing. However, most people are taught or at least recognize this bit of it:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
It was a noble venture into founding a country. But even though our money clearly states, "In God we trust," at this point in our history the question is, "In which god do we trust?" Yes, we needed to declare our independence from England, but sometimes I wonder if we wouldn't have been better served declaring our dependence on God.
Here is my attempt at a Declaration of Dependence.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created in the image of God. It is within their nature to crave, even unknowingly, a return to a right relationship with their creator and Lord.
Where upon sin entered the world, people are unable to attain their hearts' desire. No amount of work, intelligence, or trying can bring them back into a right relationship with God.
We hold this truth to be most wondrous, that God chose to became a man. He came and walked this earth, felt the sting of hunger, the cold of night, the joy of the sunrise, the hug of mother, the betrayal of a friend.
We hold this truth to be most magnificent, that "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) This love is for the world yet totally and inexplicably personal. Salvation was accomplished through Jesus death on the cross to pay for our sin.
We hold this truth most humbling, that the God -- who created the world and has the right to command anything He chooses from His creation -- gives us a choice to choose or reject him.
We recognize the fact that every breath, every heartbeat, and everything about our being is solely dependent on He who gave us life. We declare our utter dependence on the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We stand in awe of his majesty and eagerly await His return.This is hope -- utter dependence on God.
If you want to "sign" this Declaration of Dependence, leave a comment below.
