This past week we here in
America celebrated the 4th of July, our Independence Day. I will
confess that I am not a huge fan of this holiday. I don’t like the noise. It’s
unsettling to me, like thunder. I don’t like the fire danger, or the huge
numbers of people who engage in unsafe behavior. (I once had a friend who blew
a crater in the vacant lot next door to our house. All I could do was shake my
head and be grateful that no one was hurt.) I don’t like to spend money on
fireworks. It feels like burning money. I feel sorry for all the freaked out
pets.
What I am a huge fan of is
America. I believe that it is an awesome place to live. Whatever climate
you desire can be found someplace here. I love the blue ocean and the beaches
of California, the wildlife that abounds in Montana and Alaska, the urban centers
of New York City and Chicago, and the mountains of Washington and Oregon. (I am
especially partial to the Pacific Northwest, but that’s another blog!) I am
proud to live in a place that values freedom, and that is willing to stand up
for the rights of people all over the world to live in peace. I am proud to
live in a place that is willing to stand up for the oppressed, and that is so
generous in giving to those in need.
I am not saying that this is
the only awesome place in the world. I’m just saying that even with our
problems, our disagreements and our issues, this is still an awesome place to
live.
As an American and as a
Christian, there are three points I strive to keep in mind:
1. Living
here is a blessing, but God blesses in many ways. Don’t confuse being American
with being in the center of God’s will. Am I more blessed than the Christian
who is undergoing oppression in China? Is my material wealth a measure of God’s
pleasure with me? If we measure God’s blessing in physical or material terms,
we have missed the true blessing.
Anyone who does not take his
cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:38-39
2. The ideal of freedom is Godly, but Godly freedom is
different, and
not dependent on physical freedom.
If you hold to my teaching,
you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will
set you free. John
8:31-32
3. I am a Christian, and I am American. I don’t confuse the
two. They are not synonymous. Nations come and go, but
salvation is eternal.
Living in America comes with
responsibilities. Living as a Christian comes with responsibilities. As an
American, I should be involved in how my country is run, and be working to
change that which is against our values. I should vote. I should speak loudly.
As a Christian, I should be standing up for justice for all people, and I
should be living in a way that speaks Christ into every life and situation. Real
freedom is living in relationship with Jesus. He is our way, our truth, and our
life. We cannot come to the Father except through him.
As you go, preach
this message: “The Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Heal the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
Freely
you have received, freely give.
Matthew 10:7-8
Even as Americans, we are
citizens of a different place. We are visitors here. Our true home awaits us.
We must be careful not to confuse the two.
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