Patriots Day

Today is Patriots Day!  This holiday is celebrated in the states of Massachusetts and Maine, and commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.  On April 19, 1775 a ragtag force Colonial Militiamen stood up against approximately 700 highly trained British Army Regulars under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith, in the town of Lexington, Massachusetts.  The first shots that changed the course of world history were fired just as the sun was rising.  After the initial skirmish, the outnumbered militia fell back and the regulars proceeded on to Concord to capture and destroy Patriot military supplies known to be stored there.  At the North Bridge in Concord, approximately 500 militiamen fought and defeated three companies of the King’s troops.  The British then fell back and retreated to Lexington where they were rescued by additional reinforcements.  (for more information check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Lexington_and_Concord)

This life changing event was forever embedded in history as the “shot heard round the world” by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his poem “Concord Hymn” written in 1836 for the dedication of a battle monument in remembrance of the men who gave their lives at Lexington and Concord.  One source of the power of this statement may come from the personal ties that Emerson had with these battles.  His grandfather fought at both Lexington and Concord.

The recalling of this tiny victory by a small band of loosely trained farmers over the forces of His Majesty’s mighty military power encouraged the colonies to stand firm and continue on in the face of insurmountable odds over the next eight years.  Patience, guts, and the iron clad will to not give up finally yielded the colonies the independence they had fought long and hard for.

As we face the week ahead on this dreary Monday morning (in northern California), it would do us good to remember the victories in our past that helped us to achieve the long and hard fought goals we have sought to complete in our lives.  These memories can act as an incentive to propel us through the hard times we may currently find ourselves fighting.  The One that helped you stand and win in battles past is there at your side to give you the final victory once again.  Ephesians 1:21 says that “He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and all other names that can be named…”  (Gods Word ©)

Whatever the “name” of the difficulty you may face, He is greater and your dependence on Him will see you through!  Just as the hopelessly outnumbered and outclassed Patriots continued to fight on through a long and arduous war, in order to finally attain an independent nation that would eventually become a major force in the world, you too, can make it through and become a major force in the day to day world that you abide in.  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”