Thank God For America
Last Saturday a few friends and I flew to Eau Claire, Wisconsin for an air show featuring The Blue Angels. I had not seen them since I was a kid. I’ve seen a lot of air show aerobatics, but nothing compares to The Blue Angels. The precision they fly with is unmatched in the world. Flying as close as 12 inches from each other at over 400 mph in their most harrowing demonstration…it’s thrilling to say the least. I was in awe of the technology of the F18 Super Hornets, and especially the skill of those flying them.
It was good timing for me to celebrate Independence Day. July 4 was always a big deal to me as a kid. Since traveling abroad, it’s an even bigger deal. Boy, do we have it nice here!
As followers of Jesus, our identity is in Christ, not in any one earthly nation. Our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). But also as Christians, we should be model citizens here. And gratitude should be the hallmark of anyone who follows Jesus.
That to me is where July 4 comes in…gratitude. Of course we can always find things wrong. But it comes down to what you are focused on.
In all of history, no people on earth have enjoyed the opportunities we have here today. And being focused on the Gospel, we are able to freely proclaim what Jesus means to us. We have resources like no other people on earth to be able to support what matters most to us: helping others get into heaven.
I realize there is a thing out there called Christian Nationalism. Honestly, I’m not even sure what it is. But I’m equally concerned about Christian ingratitude. A lot of professing believers focus on America’s flaws, without regard to how God has blessed us here. I’m good with engaging in discussions on finding solutions to our problems in America, if it’s with someone who also acknowledges and focuses on how blessed we are.
If you’ve been to Honduras with one of our mission teams, or to Turkey last fall for our 7 Letters Tour, or even to Israel with our Holy Land Tour, you’ve seen how most people in the world live. I recently returned from Africa ministering with pastors who do not have their own bathroom or even their own hand pump for water at their home. None of these guys have ever owned a car and have only 3-4 changes of clothes. But they are happy, because they are full of gratitude.
I hope you enjoyed July 4, and this extended weekend set aside to celebrate our country. In it all, thank God for His blessing and the country He has blessed us with!