Our America
As our country approaches the Independence Day holiday weekend, our nation – in my opinion – has reached a precarious point in our history. I’m not one to give much stock in or attention to doomsday theories, but our country is without question facing some very pressing challenges. And yet despite all of the uncertainty and tension in the United States at this point in time, it’s comforting to remember that our Creator is still the sovereign King over this world. While the world may appear to be spinning out of control, human history is progressing toward God’s foreordained destination.
There is no denying that our nation has radically changed over the last twenty years. When I was a kid growing up in rural Delaware, I remember beginning each day in my public school by standing as a class to say the pledge of allegiance to the American Flag. We also observed a moment of silence during which a student could pray if so desired. Before my little league games, the national anthem was played while the two opposing teams were lined up on the base paths. During the years of my youth, reciting the pledge of allegiance and singing The Star-Spangled Banner were important parts of American culture that created a sense of unity among the citizens of our nation. Despite our differences, we were all Americans. And we are proud of our country and for the principles on which it was built.
In a few days, the summer Olympics will begin. When I was young, I loved watching the Olympics. Unlike today, both the summer and winter games were held in the same calendar year. Meaning every four years our country geared up for both Olympics. I especially enjoyed the winter games. Like so many other kids during that time, I would watch the games every night and hope to see an American athlete win the gold. Even when the difference in time zone meant the televised events were finished, there was no internet to break the news of who won the medals throughout the course of the day’s competition. Each evening, with eager anticipation, my family gathered around our television set to watch Team U.S.A. And we were not alone. The nation was watching with a sense of patriotic pride, as we cheered on the Red, White, and Blue.
Each time an American won the gold, I watched with bated breath as Old Glory was raised high in the air to signify the victory. There was always something profoundly special about watching our nation’s flag being lifted up that caused my soul to stir. Hearing the national anthem being played while the American flag was hoisted made me proud of the athlete who won the gold medal and of our nation. Personally, I never felt any animosity toward the competitors from other countries (the exception being the Soviet Union hockey team during the 1980 Olympics). In fact, there were particular athletes from other countries who I rooted for when there wasn’t an American in contention. But deep inside, I wanted our country to succeed. Why? Because I was proud to be an American.
Back in those days, I was just an American kid living in rural America pulling for our country. I understood that the world was filled with trouble. But I trusted God, and I was truly thankful to live in the United States of America. The land of the free. The land of the brave. A place of hope that offered the opportunity to prosper to all people. Like many of you, I watched with tears in my eyes when the Berlin Wall came down. Seeing the collapse of the Soviet Union filled me with the hope of seeing the Eastern European nations enjoy the same freedoms the citizens of our nation have. From my idealistic point of view at the time, the fear of Communism, nuclear war, and of the Soviet Union appeared to be over. A new age of opportunity for the people living in Eastern Europe seemed to be on the horizon. It felt like the dawn of a bright new day. I was proud of President Ronald Reagan who seemed to have accomplished what most never imagined. I was proud to be an American.
On September 11, 2001, the world turned from a brilliant sunny day on the American east coast to a day of terror. I was in seminary chapel when the news of the terrorist attacks broke. The student body watched along with the faculty and staff as the twin towers burned from the two airplanes that slammed into them. Then a plane hit the Pentagon. Another, thanks to the heroes on board, crashed into a Pennsylvania field. Wanting to be alone, I zipped home to watch the news in the safety of my own living room. I put a cassette in the VCR, and recorded Peter Jennings for hours as he described the horrible events as they were unfolding. To this day, I have not watched that recording. And I may never be able to. It was too painful and unthinkable that our nation had been attacked so heartlessly. Why was I brokenhearted over those events? Because people died that day. Some of them jumped from the heights of the twin towers to escape the inferno overtaking them. I wept that day along with the rest of our nation. I did so because I was proud to be an American.
Later that traumatic evening, members of the United States congress stood in solidarity in our nation’s capital. President George W. Bush was thrust into a battle no one predicted. The world changed that morning. But we were one nation that day. Under God. Indivisible. Unified. I was proud to be an American on that horrible day.
Sadly, that sense of unity and patriotism didn’t last…
Even as a child, I was never naïve enough to believe the illusion that our nation was perfect. Although I was too young at the time of President Nixon’s resignation to understand those scandalous events, I vividly remember the subsequent election between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. It was during those formative years of life that I learned about the imperfections of our country and the people who lead it. Despite my father’s grief over President Jimmy Carter’s victory, he taught me to honor those in leadership even when we disagree with their policies. My father reminded me that we were still one nation. Despite the turmoil of the 1970s, I was still proud to be an American.
From my earliest years, I learned that the United States of America is a place filled with people who understand the importance of basic liberties such as the freedom of religion. I knew far too many kids growing up who didn’t believe in God to ever suppose every American was a Christian. While I wasn’t always surrounded by Christians, I always appreciated the freedom to be a follower of Christ without any fear of being persecuted for my faith. Through the years, I have even appreciated my atheistic friends who never allowed my profession of faith in Christ to be a point of animosity in our relationship. After all, we are one nation. A place where people can disagree but still be Americans.
Personally, I believe the United States is a place where hard work is generally rewarded. This level of opportunity is what makes our country so amazing – despite our flaws and weaknesses. I grew up with a father who experienced a lot of hardship in his life. Despite the challenges he faced and the odds against him, he worked hard to earn a living. He never made a lot of money, but he successfully raised a family. On Father’s Day of this year, my dad told me a story I had never heard. Based on my father’s account, there were times during my childhood when finances were far tighter than I ever knew. But this great nation gave my father the opportunity to flourish and survive the difficult times through hard work.
When my father was growing up, he could have easily blamed his parents or the government for his hardship. But he didn’t. Instead, he used the freedoms afforded to him by the constitution of this great nation to become a man of diligence and dignity. My father proudly served in the United States Air Force. My oldest brother served in the United States Marines and saw the horrors of combat. I grew up believing God should always be first. I was taught the importance of staying committed to your family. Of working hard. During my formative years I was encouraged to honor our country. Not because we are a perfect nation. But because this is our nation. This is the place we call home. We are one nation under God.
I thank God that I live in the United States of America. A place where I can worship God. Provide for my family by working hard in a job I love. And where I have the opportunity to honor the nation that gives me these freedoms. That’s why I am still proud to be an American.
While we as Christians believe in the sovereignty of almighty God, we are not called to simply sit idly by and not display genuine concern for the direction of our nation and the world. In light of our nation’s rising crime rates, pandemic, weakening economy, racial tensions, and moral decline, I urge you to take decisive action. No, I’m not asking you to run for political office. Nor am I asking you to post your political views online. Please don’t engage in nasty arguments with your friends and family. No, I’m challenging you to do something far more important. I am asking you to pray for our nation. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, the Apostle Paul writes, “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”
Are we a perfect nation? Never have been. But this is our nation. Let’s pray for our political leaders as Scripture commands (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Let’s pray for our continued freedom to worship. And let’s pray that the Lord will strengthen us to be salt and light in this nation. Not primarily because we are Americans but because we are Christians who love our nation. I don’t know about you, but I am still proud to call the United States of America my country.