American Foundations Institute, Inc. provides this essay to honor a national hero and Founding Father – George Washington (Feb 22). Remembering the true history of the United States of America and a key individual who helped establish our unique form of civil government can help heal our currently disunified land by reminding us to undergird the building blocks he employed to make a great nation.
George Washington was a man of principle – a compassionate man voluntarily governed by the God of Creation – the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Godly principles demonstrated in his life are the reason we remember, celebrate, and imitate his wisdom. He loved God, he loved God-given Liberty, and loved his neighbor to include his country. He applied this love to all spheres of life. It might be said his love-based faith empowered him to love life, liberty, and pursue happiness. Washington understood that everyone can reason, but he concluded that reason alone is a miserable guide as evidenced by the documented misery resulting from loveless and Godless governments conjured in the minds of man throughout history. By coupling his reasoning ability with Biblical principles, he realized these same principles make great people and nations. He, with the help of like-minded others, produced the greatest nation in all recorded history. He is a model who embraced a form of individual self-government and character that can produce wise governance and happiness in individuals and nations. No one did more than Washington to gain the independence of the United States from the tyranny of Great Britain. “We owe the freedom of our country to the men and women of the Revolution. George Washington’s strength of character, patriotic purpose, and in the iron will which held him steadfast to his purpose despite the most disheartening defeats and discouragements made him easily the foremost among all the men of his time. Our forefathers trusted and followed Washington in the darkest hours of the Revolution because they had implicit confidence in his integrity, his good judgement, his dauntless courage, and his unselfish devotion to his country.”1
What can we learn from the life of Washington and apply to our lives today? First, we might learn that Godly principles produce liberty with responsibility and unite individuals and nations. Love and truth set one free! “There is no greater love than this—that a man should lay down his life for his friends.”2 (John 15:13; J.B. Phillips)
Washington followed the God of Creation and applied His virtues to his reasoning. He behaved according to the precepts of liberty documented in the Bible. Virtuous living is available to all. Washington stood against tyranny. “Your love of liberty – your respect for the laws – your habits of industry – and your practice of the moral and religious obligations, are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness.”3 (George Washington, 1789)
Washington’s form of faith, character, government, education, and economics are demonstrated in his style of leadership that established the first Federal Constitutional Republic. Employ the same principles employed by George Washington and uphold Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
February 12, 2021
Art Ricciardi, Ed.D.
Notes
1. Burnham, The Making of Our Country, A History of the United States for Schools, John C. Winston Co, 1931
2. Phillips, J.B. New Testament, Simon & Schuster, 1958 (Bible Gateway)
3. Washington, George, Letter to the Residents of Boston, October 27, 1789