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Patriotism and Citizenship (Celebrating Dependence)

For those of you who know me well, "patriot" is probably one of the last words you would use to describe me. Despite my lack of patriotism, I will still celebrate. I am still thankful for the country in which God has placed me and the freedoms it allows me to worship Him and speak freely about his love. I am even thankful for other things that this country offers: a comfortable life, quality private education (shout out Grove City College), space to explore and spread out, but also places to collect and have fellowship and community. Independence Day, as I rarely hear it called anymore, is the celebration of the United States signing the Declaration of Independence, the document that outlined our liberty from England. But is this what we still celebrate on July Fourth? Or have we forgotten? On a day when all are united in red, white, and blue, are people giving thought to their fellow citizens and those who made sacrifices before us? Or has this become yet another example of expressive individualism?

 In a society that celebrates FREEDOM as a virtue, I find it necessary to point out that as Christians, we are not called to freedom, but to love. While we were free in the garden, we presented ourselves to sin and were made slaves to unrighteousness. Now, in Jesus, we are set free from sin so that we might pursue Him and his ways, not our own ways, which are still inclined to evil. I invite you to celebrate the freedoms and those who fought hard for them, but always to celebrate Jesus, who laid aside his freedom and subjected himself to the evils of this world, that he might purchase us with a price no one else could pay. While we are citizens of the United States of America, we followers of Jesus are citizens of a Kingdom on whose King we depend daily. Dependence is not a vice, just as independence is not a virtue. We know this in the context of family. We do not regard the bratty, rebellious teenager seeking independence as the pinnacle of virtue. The Declaration of Independence was not signed alone, but by 56 representatives. How ironic is a democracy where each citizen crowns himself king over his own life? To this irony, I will give a similarly undemocratic solution. Crown Jesus as king over your life. Jesus commands us to love God and to love our neighbor. Why not follow someone who commands you to love others? A healthy democracy does not exist without love of neighbor. When God created Adam, He also gave him Eve. When Jesus sent out his disciples to preach, he sent them out two by two. It is not good that man should be alone (Genesis 2:18). 

And so, depend on others. In a government that gives us the freedom to depend on others, take that freedom to depend on your family, on your neighbors, and on your community. Parents, be not quick to send your children away, to force them to blaze their own trail, and live on their own. Likewise, children, be not eager to make it on your own, to leave your parents' care, and leave them to the care of others. Neighbors, walk your streets, sit on your porches, love those who are close to you, and welcome them into your homes. Churches, reach out to those around you, do not wait for them to come, just as God does not wait for us, but calls us to himself.  Be a rock that is fastened to The Rock, that others might depend on you. Offer yourself as a slave to righteousness, as a slave to Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. There is no path to the Father except through Him. Do not wander in freedom and lose your way. But dwell in the sweetness of his yoke, which is easy. Take on his burden, which is light. Thank Him for the freedom, the variety of ways in which his glory might be amplified, and the vast opportunity that this country, which He created, enables us to seek Him. As you go these next nights, still seeing the fireworks going off in your head or maybe in your backyard, look up and see the stars, God's fireworks. Remember His covenant with Abraham that his descendants would be as many as the stars (there are more than 50). Remember the star that led the wisemen to Jesus lying humbly in a manger. Let the stars lead you to him as well. Now there is cause for celebration!

What's Next?

One more week of RYM Florida! I am excited to finish out Florida well and have a time of rest and refreshment with family, familiar faces, and familiar places.