Tip: Never trade freedom for security!
I realize that this Tip literally goes around the world and is not exclusive to those of us who live here in the United States. Even though it will cross international lines, I hope it will mean something special to each one of us, regardless of where we live.
A couple of centuries ago the leaders of the United States of America chose to stand on their own two feet. Because of that, rather than looking for a handout from someone else in the world, the United States has been a leader in extending a helping hand to others; whether it has been through medical aid, food distribution, missionary work, education, or numerous other areas of humanitarian endeavor. The reason all of this is possible is because of our great desire to be a free people living in a free nation.
Rather than getting political or philosophical, let me remind you of a story. That is where I find my best communication skills.
You may have seen the movie, “Braveheart,” starring Mel Gibson. It gives a good, clear picture of what freedom is all about. The movie portrays the period of time when Scotland was under the rule of England. In those days, there had been many abuses over a long period of time. Finally, the men and women who lived in Scotland had had enough. (Please don’t misunderstand. I have many friends in England and mean no disrespect.) However, there came a time when Scotland wanted to be an independent nation separate from England. Because the people of Scotland wanted their freedom, they were willing to fight and even die, rather than be under the rule of another country. At the end of the movie, William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) was captured and was about to be executed. He was asked if he had any final words. If you have seen the movie, you know that with all his strength, the last thing he yelled was the word, “Freedom!”
One of the main reason wars have been started is because one country wants to dominate another. Remember World War 2 and the world domination desire by Germany? Would anyone doubt that what is going on right now with North Korea isn’t about control and power? Yet, for the rest of the world, the desire to be free continues to come at a great price.
Freedom affects us not only nationally, but individually as well. None of us wants to be a slave. Even if we have a job working for a company, we want to know that we have some freedom within that job to excel. We want to do our best. We want to achieve bigger and better things. That can only happen when given the freedom to do so.
And, of course, ultimate freedom occurs when a person has worked long enough and has enough money to completely live on his or her own without ever having to work again. That should be a worthy goal for all of us who want to retire one day.
Unfortunately, we have learned in recent years that security can be illusive. Many who thought they were financially secure have discovered that their “secure” investments have failed or that some unscrupulous company has mishandled their money causing them to lose their entire life savings. What a tragedy!
Think about this for a second: if someone offered to take care of your livelihood, make sure that you had insurance, health care, money in your pocket, a house to live in, and every other provision of life, wouldn’t it be very tempting to accept that kind of security? That is what socialism is all about. However, history has shown us that kind of security never lasts very long. The only kind of security that has ever lived through the ages and has proven itself through the tests of time is that of freedom.
My goal in writing this Tip is simply to remind all of us that there is a difference between freedom and security. Freedom is always better! However, it comes at a great price. Personally I am grateful for all those who have gone before us to lead the way, to fight and to do whatever was necessary in order that we could experience that kind of freedom.
It is my hope and prayer that will be true for all of us, because, when we are free, we are in a position to do the best we can for ourselves, our families and for other people.
Tip: Never trade freedom for security!
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
