The rush of adrenaline soars through my veins, as my heart pulsates in my chest.
I take a moment to look around. The courageous smiles, the fierceness in their eyes, the strength in their voices — these are my people, my tribe. They are the heartbeat of Australia.
Together we walk, no, we march, side by side through the streets, united. Families, children, newborn babies cradled in their mother’s arms, the old and the young, doctors, nurses, teachers, firefighters, tradies, carers — we all march together in unison, peacefully protesting, and standing for our rights and our freedoms.
The challenge
No matter what your stance is on the vaccination mandate, I know that one thing is for sure — united we stand, divided we fall.
Right now, Australia has been faced with one of our biggest challenges of all during this pandemic: whether we stand for our rights and our freedoms as one united people, or if we decide to fall into submission to oppressive powers that create discrimination, division, and alienation against its people.
Ultimately, the vaccine choice is yours to make, despite personal opinions, but the moment it becomes a vessel for destruction and division is the moment we have lost all understanding of the meaning of the words ‘loving your neighbour’.
The Bible says in Mark chapter 2 verses 30 to 31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
To love your neighbour as yourself is to show them the same kindness, respect, dignity, and love that you expect others to show you — “do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew chapter seven verse 12).
Afterall, we are all children of God, who loves each one of us unconditionally.
One John chapter three verse one says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
Division
2021 has been a year of trial, of growth, of change, of uncertainty, but more importantly, of challenge. I am overwhelmed with the growing community of those, vaccinated and unvaccinated, who have come together in the name of unity and freedom against the tyrannical mandates and restrictions put in place by our government
There is a quote by Anthony Gregory that says, “The most destructive thing governments do is divide people against each other, all in competition over the reins of the state.”
It can often feel like the government are overpowering the people, but we must remember who is ultimately in control. God allows certain things to happen for a reason. That reason may never become clear to us, but we must always trust that God allows certain things for a divine purpose.
2 Chronicles chapter 20 verse 12 says, ‘Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.’
Strength to the people
The numbers from the protest marches all across Australia speak for themselves, as one million people marched for their freedoms and rights.
It is hard to know how our participation will affect change, and it is even harder when the opposition seems so great.
The thing is, those who fight and fight together for the rights and freedoms of all Australians are the majority and we have already won. We have decided to stand as one people, one nation, and one army against the discrimination and division created by our government.
Alan Moore explains it perfectly in his quote, “People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.” (V for Vendetta - 1982).
John chapter 16 verse 33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The power is with the people, and it is those people who stood firm and strong during this time that will create change. That change that will ring out all throughout history.
2 Chronicles chapter 20 verse nine says, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’
Fight for freedom
I felt honoured and proud to stand with my fellow Australian patriots as we marched, sang, and chanted for freedom. I am honoured to one day be able to tell my children that I did stand, that I did march for our rights and freedoms, and that I did do something about the injustice that is occurring in Australia right now.
I will always fight for my freedom and my rights because what I am fighting for is not just about this current moment in history and the impacts it has on my life, but how it impacts my future children’s freedoms and rights as well.
Alexander Hamilton once said, “If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
What we do right now in moments like these impacts the future that we create for our children. Whatever God has planned, I want to make sure I was righteously a part of the army that stood tall and proud, no matter the opposition, for our freedoms and our rights.
United we stand, divided we fall. We must hold the line and remember that the power is to the people. We are one, but we are many. God is about to do something great in Australia.
2 Chronicles chapter 20 verse 17 says, ‘You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’