We recite these words every single morning in honor of a member of the military. Friday, we said it in honor of my Grandaddy, Rex Bailey, who served in the Navy during World War II. To be honest, most days, these words are mindlessly repeated by my classroom full of students (with respect of course with hands over hearts and standing at attention). I'm not sure that the students have ever really thought about the words being spoken. And, in the spirit of honesty, until a few weeks ago, I'm not sure that I have ever thought about the words I was saying. A few weeks ago, as I was thinking about the "big" election and just life in America, the Lord spoke to me as I was saying the Pledge. "Listen to the last 11 words. Think about what you are saying." I listened as I spoke these words. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
(Disclaimer: I have the utmost respect for our pledge, our flag, our anthem, our country, and our soldiers, and none of the following comments are meant to reflect any disrespect towards these things. They are merely my feelings and opinions regarding the state of our nation.)
As I spoke these words, I was overcome with how far away we are from this perfect dream of a society. What if day-to-day life in America really was built upon this phrase? My, how things would change, if we were actually "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Let's dissect this phrase for a second...
Under God. As I pondered this part of the phrase, honestly, my first instinct was to rant about how we are no longer a nation "under God" and how the religious freedom that this country was founded one has led to a lax laid-back version of "christianity" in which (in the South at least) we go to church once a week (maybe) and are left unchanged. While I certainly agree that the church in America has become all too complacent and we are in desperate need of revival, I think that, primarily, in my longing to rant about the degradation of our society, I missed one important point altogether. No matter what America becomes. No matter how morally deficient, worldly, or evil the American society becomes, we will still be and will always be under God. Whether society likes it or not, we are given every life and breath from a God so great, and mighty, and vast, and sovereign. America, along with every other tribe and nation on this Earth is a nation under God. We are under God's authority and sovereign rule whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.
Indivisible. See One Nation (above). So very much division-- in the country, in the church, in the home. We are so far from indivisible. Pray for supernatural unity.
With liberty and justice for ALL. This point hit me the hardest and rang the loudest in my ears. Let's break this down a little further.
liberty. "America-- the land of the free." "It's a free country." We talk about liberty in so many ways. Yet, are we truly a "free country"? We live in a society not only burdened by the shackles of shame and guilt, but also chained by the need for approval, the need for acceptance, and even burdened by the so-called American "dream." We chase after health, wealth, and prosperity only to be left empty and longing because we were created for so much more. True freedom lies in Christ alone. Now, America was founded on freedom. As the inscription on the Statue of Liberty states, America was and is a refuge for all longing to breathe free. This also, and most importantly, means religious freedom, so that means, whether Muslim, Jew, Catholic, Buddhist, Christian, Seventh-Day Adventist, Hindu... whatever. All are welcome. That's the point in the liberty. It is not simply meant to be enjoyed by those who's great-great-great-great grandparents entered the country during the time of mass immigration. America was founded on being a nation where all could come to enjoy the freedoms of our country. That's the draw of America--freedom. We have seen the destruction of America through many choices rooted in these freedoms, yet the freedoms remain-- as they should. Yes, we live in a free country. We live in a country where I can walk out my door to any person on the street and tell them about the goodness of my Jesus and how He has radically changed my life and is willing and waiting to do the same for them if they just trust Him. I can tell whoever I want whenever I want about the life-changing grace and mercy and love and goodness of my Savior. That's liberty. Let's not take for granted the liberty that we have. Live free.
justice. If I'm totally honest, this single word hit me hardest of all. It brought me to tears and heartache. We are not a nation with "justice for all." And, tragically, we have never been a nation
with justice for all. Yes, we have a justice system; yes, we have government. These systems were created by a broken people, and out of this brokenness has stemmed a systemic degradation of minority people groups. African American men have been targeted and brutally murdered by the systems that should be in place to protect them. People are judged and categorized merely for the color of their sin. Children around the country go without food or shelter on a daily basis. Babies are murdered in the womb daily-- in the very place created by God to protect them as they grow. America is not a nation with justice for all. These are just a few of the instances in which injustice is seen on a regular basis. Christians, this should break our hearts. Mourn with those who mourn. Empathize with those who are hurting. This empathy comes from a personal relationship with the broken-- not as a result of these devastating events, but as a result for the love for all people that Christ has called us to. Commit to pray for, with, and alongside our hurting brothers and sisters as we seek out unity and justice and liberty for all people, not just the people who look, act, and think like us.
God, help us to be a Christian people that happen to be living in America, not a people so tied up in our American pride or patriotism that we forsake our calling as Christians to love any and all. As a nation, America has turned to our own way. We have tried to take You out of any and all aspects of our culture. Let the church hear your call, O Lord, that this is not the time to lie down and sulk over our "persecution" but the time to rise up and stand for our beliefs and to stand on the promises in your word that YOU, O God, are sovereign over all nations and tribes and tongues and people groups. As we enter into election week and we look towards Election Day, remind us, Lord, that our hope is not found in any elected official or public office. Our hope is found in You alone. The only hope for all the world is Jesus. In HIS precious Name, Amen.
The only hope for all the world is JESUS. Go tell it on the mountain. Jesus Christ is Lord.
