Maintaining a Thoroughfare of Freedom

“Oh beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat across the wilderness!
America, America, God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.”
- text by Katherine Lee Bates, 1859-1929

What is a Thoroughfare of Freedom?

Thoroughfare (as defined by http://www.thefreedictionary.com/thoroughfare)
1. A main road or public highway.
2.
a. A place of passage from one location to another.
b. Right to such passage.
3. A heavily traveled passage, such as a waterway, strait, or channel.

The world in which we live has not had a history of freedom. In fact, from one generation to the next, nearly the whole of human experience has been oppression and tyranny. America is the exception. America is the road to freedom and liberty for all.
This land is a special place. It has been protected and preserved under the Hand of the Almighty for this time. It is a place where the gospel of Jesus Christ can flourish and can go out into all the world.
We stand on the shoulders of those who have come before. Their feet beat the path in the uncharted wilderness to create this great thoroughfare, this symbol to the world of freedom and liberty for all. God has shed his grace on this nation. But that does not mean we are free from responsibility. The land we live in rages under the storms of human pride.
“America, God mend thine every flaw.” This nation, once again, needs to turn to Him so He can heal us and mend our flaws.
When we turn as a nation away from the things of this world and direct ourselves to God, He will confirm our soul in self-control. The soul of man is spirit and body. So how can we “confirm our soul in self-control?”

Confirm (as defined by http://www.thefreedictionary.com/confirm)
1. To support or establish the certainty or validity of; verify.
2. To make firmer; strengthen: Working on the campaign confirmed her intention to go into politics.
3. To make valid or binding by a formal or legal act; ratify.
4. To administer the religious rite of confirmation to.

If the spirit and the body must be united, we must not only think righteously, but we must do righteously. The spirit (mind) of man must direct the body of man to do good. Only when we are acting properly and we are anxiously engaged in a good cause, controlling ourselves and turning away from our weaknesses, are we strengthened and supported by the powers of Heaven.
There is freedom and liberty when we follow the law. We believe in the Constitutional law of the land. We uphold that, and all of the principles upon which it is founded. We owe it to those who have come before to make sure this thoroughfare of freedom is not closed down, and is in good repair, for those who follow in our footsteps.