by Alan Langstaff

America is celebrating 250 years since it declared itself a new nation, so I wish America a “Happy Birthday.” I am an immigrant who has since become an American citizen, and I want to share some thoughts at this particular time, including the things I experienced when coming to America.

I was born in Australia and lived there for 45 years, and then in 1980 moved to America, where I have lived for over 45 years.

Sydney, Australia, is my birthplace, and I still love the country where I was born, where I grew up, and eventually entered the ministry. America is where I live now and is the place I expect to die. My family and I all became American citizens, and I now have four grandchildren here, three great-grandchildren, and two more on the way, plus two grandchildren in Germany.

I loved Australia and only left there because of God-given direction to move to America. I now love America and all that it has given to me.

VISITS TO AMERICA

On one of my early trips to America, I went to Disneyland. It was an exciting time as we had nothing like that in Australia. One of the things that impressed me most was “America the Beautiful” – a 360-degree movie presentation of America. When I watched it, I was impressed by what a wonderful country America was. At that time, I never would have thought that one day I would be living here.

Then, in 1980, God called us to Minnesota, where we have lived ever since.

AUSTRALIA & AMERICA

Australia is the largest island in the world. It is a rugged country in comparison to other places. Most of the population lives in cities along the coast. It has a population of approximately 25 million. Australia has been influenced by American films, music, TV, and the like, but it still remains true to its own identity.

Australia was initially founded as a convict colony, and for approximately 100 years, people were related to ancestors who had been convicts.

America, by contrast, was founded by people who sought to escape religious opposition and came to America to form and, in turn, found a free country.

There are obvious similarities between the two countries, but also some important differences. For example, in Australia, they drive on the left-hand side of the road. In America, it is the opposite. Consequently, I almost got killed when I drove on the wrong side of the road and met a truck, and we missed each other by a few inches.

One little difference I noticed was the absence of fences around houses. When I grew up, every house was surrounded by fences. Not so in America. In the street where I live, there are no fences.

One other major difference that we faced was that I had never experienced snow before I came to America. We moved to Minnesota, where it can get very cold and plenty of snow as well.

AMERICA – BLESSING TO OTHER NATIONS

America has been a blessing to other nations in so many different ways. Let’s consider one example. I grew up during World War II. I still remember one day being sent home from school. You see, there was an armada of ships heading towards Sydney. In the days before radar, it was initially thought that this might be the Japanese forces. As it turned out, it was the American fleet.

Without America’s help, Australia would have been overrun by the Japanese if America had not come to our aid, and with our small population, we would have been conquered. 

It should be noted that in the wars America has faced, including Vietnam, Australian forces have also been involved.

AMERICA – ITS PLACE IN THE WORLD

I have reflected quite a lot about America and its place in the world. One simple question that goes through my mind is what would the world be like without America? Now in the world today, there are just a small number of major nations, including China, Russia, and India. Just think for a moment what the world would be like if you took America out of it all. America is the only large nation that has the ability to impact nations like China and Russia.

People can say what they like, but a world without America would be very different. Thank God for America and the role that it has played in the world these last 100 years.

REFLECTION

It is a time to reflect on the men and women who built this country. You can go back to the stories of the first pilgrims who came to New England. They had courage, they had faith, and perseverance in the midst of it all. Consider the first year where they were faced with a brutal winter, and in the midst of it all, they still held fast to their God and the vision he had for this – “a city on a hill.”

This is the 250th Anniversary of the founding of America. As we reflect on the past and all that brought us to this moment in time. As we pause to give thanks for the goodness and provision of our God. As we look to the future and consider all that lies before us, leading up to the return of Christ. Let us pause to give our heartfelt thanksgiving to God Almighty, who made it all possible. 

Yes, You have blessed us in the past, now we ask You to bless America today and in the time to come. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

AMERICA’S NATIONAL ANTHEM

Most people are familiar with America’s National Anthem, “Oh say can you see / by the dawns early light…” There are other verses to this anthem. The last one declares:

“Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

At this time, the 250th Anniversary when America became a nation – “a city set on a hill,” we say HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Yes, God bless America.