The Patriot The Patriot

One of my favorite movies is "The Patriot" staring Mel Gibson. Whether you
like Mel Gibson or not is immaterial to the movie. It is a stirring
portrayal of he struggle of our forefathers during the Revolutionary War,
our war for freedom against Britain's unfair taxes and control over their
colonies in the new world of the Americas.

Many people were not in favor of this "revolt" against Britain. It was their
home nation, they had friends and family there, and many had been born
there. If fact the main character played by Gibson was against the
revolution, until forced by the evil and violence of those in power to make
a choice to stand for the right and freedom.

One of the themes running through the movie was the use of the simple
phrase, "Stay the course." This was saying, "Don't forget your purpose,"
"Don't be dissuaded of the urgency or importance of your convictions". It
was a way of saying, "Don't be discouraged by what is going on around you,
simply stay the course (or stay on course)."

It's interesting also that Gibson stared in the movie Braveheart. It was the
story of William Wallace and the fight of the Scotts against the British
trying to subjugate them. The message was similar in that movie, "Stay the
course," "don't loose sight of what is important."

Both movies asked the question of the viewers (I believe), concerning "what
is really important to you". For what would you be willing to die? And the
answer comes ringing back in both movies: "My freedom, the freedom of my
family and the freedom of my nation is that important!"

This 4th of July, is our celebration of our nations Independence from the
cruel and unfair demands put upon our ancestors by the British ruling
powers. Although we are no longer under the control of that nation, we are
under the control of a government in our own nation which has (for the most
part), lost all connection with us, its people. They have also lost all
connection with the principles upon which our nation was founded of being
"one nation under God".

We are (it seems to me), still fighting the same battle which has been
fought through the years. The battle to hold on to our freedom! The freedom
to worship and live the way we as individuals want, freedom from persecution
or restrictions regarding our beliefs by the government which is suppose to
protect our freedoms.

I know at times it seems as if we cannot win against the powers which govern
our country, but know that God is still in control. Know that there are
millions of people in our nation who will stand along side of you and be
counted for righteousness.

I do not know what the future will bring. I do not know how we will be
called to stand and make a difference, but I challenge you to be ready to do
whatever it takes to maintain your (and my) freedom. Stay the course! "Then
I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go
for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8)

Russ Lawson