Make sure you don't read the news like you read a history book. You can shape the outcome of the trends shaping today's top stories.
Over the last several weeks, we've dug deeply into the topic of liberty. We've seen how rare freedom is both historically and globally. We've examined America's Christian roots. We've discussed why liberty requires virtue, not license. And we've looked at how socialism and Islam threaten it.
But these grand themes can feel disconnected from your day-to-day life. Sure, things need to change, but these problems can feel too overwhelming for one individual to make a difference.
It's an understandable feeling, but it isn't accurate. The collective choices of individuals are what created our current society and culture. Fixing them requires individuals -- including you and me -- to make better choices. And whatever obstacles you face, you have full control over your individual choices.
Here are practical things you can do to preserve liberty.
The most obvious is at the ballot box. If you're reading this, you're likely someone who votes automatically. But most people -- including your friends, fellow church members and neighbors -- aren't like you. They don't vote habitually. Go through your phone and find 20 people whom you personally are going to chase to the polls. Ask them what their plan is to vote. Invite them to come vote with you.
If you have the option, vote early. There's value to the civic ritual of voting on Election Day, but voting early is a strategic advantage for your side. Campaigns are monitoring who has already voted. If you vote early, campaigns no longer have to make sure you vote. They can spend that time and money turning out a low-propensity voter.
But there's much you can do even when it's not election season.
Start with your personal relationship with God. What made America a Christian nation wasn't merely that the vast majority of the Founding Fathers were Christians. It was the faith of individual colonists. Also, every Christian can pray for their family, community and country. God can do more in a moment than you can do in a lifetime.
It's hard to pass on a legacy of liberty when young people aren't getting married and the fertility rate is plummeting. Young adults, put yourselves in positions to meet a potential spouse. If you know eligible young people, it's time to play matchmaker. As the Institute for Family Studies has shown, marriage is good for men, women and society.
If you and your spouse can have another child, do it. And yes, my children significantly outnumber my wife and me.
Ask a young married couple when they are going to have kids. If they have kids, ask if they'll have more. If you see a family with a lot of children, congratulate their parents, even if their kids are acting like kids. Especially for your family, provide the practical help -- like babysitting, cleaning the house or taking kids places -- that makes having more children seem doable.
Housing prices are extremely high. You may have both the financial means and a child who's making wise financial choices but can't afford a home. Gift them a down payment today. You can't fix housing policy, but you can help your child afford a home for your grandchildren.
Look around. What can you build? Who can you mentor? How can you leverage what God has given you to preserve freedom?
The signers of the Declaration of Independence pledged "our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor" to establish the country that protects the liberty we enjoy today. Even though we won't end up in history books, it's time to pledge our time, treasure and talents to preserve it.
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