On July 22,1620 the Pilgrims started out from Holland aboard the "Speedwell". At Plymouth, England, they transferred to the "Mayflower". And as they say, "The rest is history."
Historians have often speculated about what would have happened if they had landed where they intended to, which was far south of the Plymouth Rock. Virginia was their original destination. Cape Cod was not on their course, but when they saw it they followed it to the mainland and a new Plymouth.
Ironically today is also the day in 1587, that the Lost Colony landed on Roanoke Island, off North Carolina. That colony expected to be met by a group that landed earlier. A third group, landing later at Roanoke also expected to be met by the colony before them. A familiar story to all and a mystery to this day.
But the story of the Pilgrims is no mystery - except what might have happened in American history if they had reached the original destination instead of Massachusetts. History and life is full of big "ifs". "If" we do this or that, what happens? Today each of us as individuals and all as a community face some really big "ifs".
If I don't find hope for myself or society, what will happen? If I don't take an extra effort to better my
community, why should I expect the politicians to do any better? If there is no God, why are we here? If I acknowledge God; if I become involved in my community; and if I have hope in a future will life as I know it be better?
Do you realize at this point there is a great urge to say emphatically, "Yes!" life will be better "if". But that would be a spectator's response and none of us are spectators in life. Everyone participates, some good, some bad. Was it a good or bad moment when the "Mayflower" changed course and headed in land to Plymouth?
Would New York be where Norfolk is today? Would slavery be unnecessary in an industrial South? Would Haiti and other Caribbean Islands be part of our great nation? Do we see the endless possibilities of "what ifs". These "what ifs" did not happen. That course change was an important moment in history. Good or bad are merely a form of speculative evaluation of a historical decision. Everyone has their own view.
How will history evaluate our decisions today? Should the church keep after the image of a church as we had it in the Eisenhower years? Or is it time to change course and venture into new territory? Should any community follow the ways of old or give their Mayor support to take them into new progressive waters? Should we resist the changes facing our youth or sail with them into uncharted waters?
A great nation of traditions and values held so dear, came out of that decision in the North Atlantic in 1620. Since that first Plymouth Rock, we have become a great nation of pioneers and risk takers. Don't stop now.
The Plymouth Rock of every community across the land is being built by peoples’s decisions today. To prevent our children from being plagued with "what ifs", let us all head for uncharted waters together. Let's change courses as churches and work together for our children. Let us as citizens endorse visions of our Mayors. As a community let's all quit doing things for and to our children. Let's do more things "with" them.
The original vision of every community in this great land began nearly two hundred years ago. There have been course corrections along the way, some good and some bad. Overall they have brought us to communities way beyond the greatest hopes of anyone on the "Mayflower". Today some of our leaders have seen a glimpse of a new era on the horizon and want to change course to see where it leads us. I say, remember the brave Pilgrims following a glimpse of land to their New England. Shall we encourage our leaders to go for it! It will be worth any hardships endured. Who knows what great future we can established? Will they look back three hundred years from now and celebrate the course changes of today's leaders? I pray so.
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