Bright Spot: As Independence Day nears, remember Founding Fathers' sacrifices

The debate about the GOAT – greatest of all time – in pro basketball will continue to rage on until the earth is no more. It was horribly humbling to hear LeBron James describe what he does to be at the top of his game and “improve his craft.” Taking hundreds of shots every day and eating the most gruelingly bland, protein-laden diet are just a smidge of his Spartan routine. It made me consider (and be convicted) about what I do to improve my craft – being a follower of Jesus.

Then I constantly read what our brothers and sisters in Christ go through in persecuted countries and I’m gut-punched again how little we Americans, including American Christians, know about sacrifice.

What do you know about the sacrifices of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence?

Five of them were captured by the British and tortured as traitors before they died. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds of the War.

Each realized the risk when they signed pledging “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

John Hart is typical. Driven by the British from his wife’s bedside as she was dying, he and their 13 children fled for their lives in all directions. His fields and gristmill were laid waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves. He returned home to find his wife dead and children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion – and a broken heart.

Norris and Livingston had stories starkly similar to Hart’s.

Few of us living today know much about this kind of sacrifice for our country. Many safety service workers, veterans, Gold Star wives, children, mothers and fathers do. But most of us think going without dessert or dialing down our AC is the supreme sacrifice.

What kind of future does this unfamiliarity with sacrifice portend for America? I’m praying the various cuts, crises and challenges we’re encountering as a country cause us to dig deep, planting the seeds of patriotism into the same soil that grew the American soul like that of our Founding Fathers.

If you look closely at this ground you’ll see the words “in God we trust” written there in red poppies stained by the blood of all patriots who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance." (Psalms 33:12 NIV Bible)

Rick Sams is pastor emeritus of Alliance Friends Church.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Bright Spot: As Independence Day nears, remember Founding Fathers' sacrifices