Apples of Gold

The Fourth of July is right around the corner. Most Americans look forward to a backyard feast and a spectacular fireworks display celebrating our great nation. Over the last several years patriotism has become controversial as our nation shifts seismically, revealing an ever-increasing chasm, forcing many to choose sides and lose relationships. 

Respect for dissent has hit record lows and numerous hordes assume the crowd must know best and blindly join the herd, unable to explain the purpose of the direction they are heading, and yet somehow convinced those choosing a different course of action are naive and undiscerning. Leadership that silences skepticism and unconventional approaches is making a potentially fatal error. 

Our nation was born from dissent. The persecuted and vulnerable fled tyranny and found solace on the shores of our land. The thought of this puny group of rag-tag patriots standing up to the Goliath of the British Empire was laughable to many, until it wasn’t. The cost was great, the sacrifices incomprehensible, the result powerful. 

Hundreds of years later we are stewards of the precious gift of democracy, freedom to worship, speak, and communicate dissent. As followers of Jesus we are stewards of an even more important gift: the proclamation, and application of the teachings found in the Word of God. 

Recently it seems many believers have forgotten the importance of balancing and maintaining both of these systems. For God and Country has subtly been altered to For God or Country. While we have drifted into the Post-Christian Nation category our duty as believers has not changed.

Common sense tells us that when our nation is thriving things will generally be better for us as well. Despite this reality there are times that we are so ideologically opposed to our leaders that we secretly, or even publicly hope a colossal flop is in their near future. The issue here is at least to some degree, when they flop we flop along with them, or at least find ourselves in the middle of the splash zone. 

Scripture takes it a step or two further. Jeremiah wrote a letter to the Israelites that had been exiled to Babylon, a nation known for it’s immorality, cruelty and idolatry. Hidden among specific guidance was a principle that is applicable today:

Seek the prosperity of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD in its behalf; for in its prosperity will be your prosperity. Jeremiah 29:7 

We have all felt the link between the condition of our land and the impact on our personal cost of living over the last several years as prices skyrocketed leaving wage increases in the dust. Many were forced to scale back and watch their pennies closely. It is perhaps more muted, but the national rise and fall of morality impacts us as well. Our children within the public school system take the brunt of this as oddities are paraded in and celebrated, until the tide turns again and standards return to a more mainstream level. 

What happens in America impacts every American. While there is absolutely no question about whether we are Christians or Americans first, we are undeniably both. (For those reading from other parts of the world substitute your home country-this applies to all of us). It is in our best interest to hope and pray for the health and course of our nation, and this includes the leadership that we don’t necessarily agree wholeheartedly with. 

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

The older I get, the more appeal tranquility holds: but far more important is the function of the pipeline disseminating the narrative of the Gospel both at home and abroad. The US still sends the most missionaries of any country around the globe to reach the lost. This alone is reason to strive for the success of our nation. 

As we prepare to commemorate the birth of this great nation may we look past all her flaws and wrinkles for a few moments and remember what life is truly all about. I am thankful that I live in a land where I am free to share my faith in Jesus. I am thankful that I can worship and pray for others in a public setting. I am thankful that ultimately this is my temporary address and heaven is my true home. 

God and Country: it is not an either or but a both and. Wherever you live and serve it is important to maintain the proper balance and to keep an eternal perspective, not forgetting those who have never heard that Jesus loves them and died to rescue them. 

I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:23