One Nation, Under God

We've just celebrated the birth of our nation for the two-hundred fortieth time. Many appreciate the country we live in and the freedoms we have. Some of us even have a hard time holding back our patriotism, so forgive us for our proud flag waving, and ear shattering, visually dazzling firework displays (yes, I know, you can love your country without fireworks, but it's more fun with fireworks). If our love for our country offends you, then I'm sorry. Oops, I cannot lie, I'm actually not sorry. Loving one's country is not a bad thing. Giving praise where praise is due and thanks where thanks is due is not only not bad, it's the logical thing, the right thing, the honorable thing to do. 

Loving our country doesn't mean we think it's perfect. In fact, our love motivates us to seek its improvement. But what is not right, what is not good, and what should not be, is a denial of the good; yes there is good to be found in our land from sea to shining sea; much good, praise worthy good, giving thanks kind of good. The good is there, yet many show no recognition or appreciation for it.

This greatly disturbs me. Anything that is not appreciated, will eventually be neglected, taken for granted, lost, and/or finally rejected. When relationships are devalued, they become unplugged from their source of power. Consequently, they soon find themselves empty, lifeless, and headed to the relationship graveyard. 

America needs a relationship checkup. Has our love for country grown lukewarm? Does the red, white, and blue waving in the wind fail to stir our emotions? Relationships either grow stronger or drift downward. When they drift, they do so along a pathway overgrown with ingratitude, indifference, and inconsideration. History reveals this to be true of nations. When they take for granted the freedoms they have and the country they live in, they veer down a path paved with complaints, criticisms, and demands, thus creating a toxic atmosphere where neither love, peace, nor freedom can long endure. In the end they stop respecting the rights of others, and become focused solely on their own (so-called) personal rights and wants to the neglect of everyone else's rights. 

When a nation becomes inward focused and it's people self-focused, the rights, the needs, the beliefs, and the well being of others quickly become disposable. Self-idolization creates a political and social black hole whose gravitational pull  shapes and reshapes all laws, rules, and attitudes to accommodate the little self-centered god inside all of us-the god known as "I".  This little god is an enemy of community. He seeks to divide. He demeans others. He demands from others. He decides the fate of others. He separates us from others. Sadly, apart from community, apart from relationships, apart from patriotism, no nation can long endure, no government can long govern, and no power, short of God, can stem the tide.  

Facing the truth is difficult, but necessary. Our future is uncertain. Our enemies are increasing. Our government is largely broken. Our differences are mounting. Our relationships are crumbling. Our love for one another is fading. So what's the answer? How can we turn the tide? How can we become other-focused? What can we do to change within and help others to change without? What will it take for us to love again, to sacrifice for others again, as in the days of old. Our history is filled with men and women who have given materially, physically, emotionally, socially, and sacrificially, both on and off the battlefields, both near and far. What is the key, the solution, the magic formula?  Is it more government money, a better education, or greater political involvement? The answer is found in the past. Those of old recognized it and appreciated it. But will we? Will we be too intelligent, too sophisticated, too educated, to see a simple truth? Will we reject it because it doesn't fit into our value or belief system? Will we deny it because it's been banned from our schools and public buildings? 

The answer is God. It's His grace and His love that transforms cold, uncaring, self-focused, greedy hearts into warm, compassionate, loving hearts that reach out and sacrifice self, and all for the glory of God and the good of others. Our government is of the people, for the people, and by the people; but if there is not love for one another among the people--all the people, it will soon become a nation destroyed by the people. 

Will we celebrate another 240 years? It all depends. Will goodness, love for one another, and self-sacrifice once again characterize our nation? Will we turn back to the God who made us good and, consequently, great?  Why must the answer be God? Because He is the river of life, the essence of good, and the source of love. Our Founding Fathers understood this, but many today deny it. Many are asking can America become great again? I believe it can, but only if it can become good again.

In President Ronald Reagan's address to the National Association of Evangelicals on March 8, 1983, in Orlando, Florida, he said:

...[T]here are a great many God-fearing, dedicated, noble men and women in public life, present company included. And yes, we need your help to keep us ever mindful of the ideas and the principles that brought us into the public arena in the first place. The basis of those ideals and principles is a commitment to freedom and personal liberty that, itself, is grounded in the much deeper realization that freedom prospers only where the blessings of God are avidly sought and humbly accepted.

The American experiment in democracy rests on this insight. Its discovery was the great triumph of our Founding Fathers, voiced by William Penn when he said: ``If we will not be governed by God, we must be governed by tyrants.'' Explaining the inalienable rights of men, Jefferson said, ``The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.'' And it was George Washington who said that ``of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.''

And finally, that shrewdest of all observers of American democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville, put it eloquently after he had gone on a search for the secret of America's greatness and genius -- and he said: ``Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the greatness and the genius of America. . . . America is good. And if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.''

We are at a crucial junction in our nation. If we continue the path of self-idolization, we will not only cease to be great, we will cease to exist. May we seek the good of everyone. May we seek to be good within. And most of all may we seek the help of the one who is good, for we cannot be good as a nation apart from God. And we cannot survive as a nation apart from being good. The choice is ours. I hope we choose wisely.