On My Mind...

Years ago, when I was a seminary student, one of my classmates was from England.  Another classmate, not the one who set the curve, asked, “Do you have the fourth of July in England?”  The answer was classic.  “Yes, we have the fourth of July in England…but we don’t celebrate it!”  I could help it – I laughed.  I knew what my friend meant by asking the question, but the answer was just too good.  They may not celebrate in England, but we do, and rightfully so.  We have every reason to celebrate.  God has been so gracious to us.  We have enjoyed abundant blessings over 250 years.  We have lived in relative peace, enjoyed economic prosperity that makes us the envy of the world, and blessings too numerous to count.  I am proudly an American.  I have no desire to live anywhere else.  I love my country, warts and all.  Of course there are things that cause me great concern.  I’m not happy with where we are culturally.  I’m not thrilled with the political climate in which we live.  I certainly do not put the blame on one party, one individual or a group of individuals, there is plenty of blame to go around.  I certainly do not believe our government does everything right, but the problem is not our system of government as much as it is our failure to live up to the ideals we espouse.  There is not denying that our country was founded upon traditions and ideas born of a Christian worldview.  This experiment is self-government was based upon a moral people informed by a biblical understanding of the world.  As that foundation erodes, society becomes fragile and unstable.  That’s not being “alarmist,” the evidence is all around us.  So, we best serve our nation by preaching and living out the truth we proclaim.  We do our part, being salt and light in our world.  We love our neighbor regardless of their faith or lack thereof.  We care for the poor and the needy.

So, let’s wave the flag.  Let’s sing and celebrate.  But let us never forget to ask God to bless America.  Let’s not forget to plead that God would grant a fresh movement of His Spirit to bring revival and national renewal.  And let us never forget that our hope is not found in Washington D.C, Oklahoma City or down on 2nd and Cincinnati.  Our hope rests in a sovereign and gracious God.  Enjoy the fireworks, wear the colors, joyfully celebrate America 250.  Oh, by the way, I will be cheering on Team USA, Wednesday evening in that World Cup match.  

Have a blessed week and I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod