This is the first year I can honestly say I love the United States of America. For many years now, I have looked upon her with disgust. I know that word sounds strong but it is truly how I felt. I don’t know if I yet can say I am proud of her… but I can say that I look upon her with fondness. She is mine.
I dare not pretend to be oblivious to her imperfections. What country is without them? For she has many flaws; large ones from her past, present, and probably future.
Isn’t she so much like Israel? A people who was founded upon respect and obedience to YHWH, but has forgotten her God time and time again. And in her times of forgetfulness she has been influenced by and enslaved by other gods.
You’ve probably encountered these gods yourself and know them well. For they reach to the top of the purple mountain majesties, flood the amber waves of grain, and wander thoroughly from sea to shining sea.
Their names are
Comfort,
Selfishness, and
Fear.
You see they convince people
to turn their backs to the foreigner,
(Leviticus 19:34, Deut. 10:19,)
to destroy the very land they live on,
(Genesis 2:15, Deut. 11:12, Romans 8:21)
to fight to be heard verses to hear,
(Philippians 2:3)
to believe they know what is best for an entire country,
(1 Samuel 8)
to indulge themselves beyond what is necessary.
(Titus 1:8)
And at the end of it all these gods have made America believe in a false definition of freedom. She believes that freedom lies within people’s choice to do whatever they want. However, true freedom means to not be moved by the world, sin, or Satan, but rather, freedom means having the ability to walk in holiness and righteousness.
It was because of all of these things that I was disgusted with America. Because she ran rampant with people as slaves to these 3 gods.
Over the past year on the Race, as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve grown in my affections for my motherland. Today while cooking lunch in Romania, me and my team blare and belt “Red White and Blue” by Toby Keith, and “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood as we feel all the feels for the USA.
I reflect on how much I love America because first and foremost… she is mine, and she was given to me by the LORD.
And as I look upon her now, I see a people who long to do right and love well. Of course without humble submission to Jesus, the proper application is not possible (Micah 6:8).
I see her as a place with a variety of cultures to be explored. From the South to the California Coast, there are huge differences and opportunities with beauties to be seen.
A place where they may not be perfect, but I have so much respect and honor for our military and law enforcement, for their sacrifice and desire to protect and serve.
She strives for excellence and cradles a dazzling plethora of landscapes.
She provides you with roads, rivers, forests, canyons, mountains, cities, desserts, and waters to be explored that never run out, so that you may never be bored.
She is a country that has had grace and mercy thrust upon her from the Lord.
She is the place where my family was cultivated from a variety of nationalities to produce an authentic red, white, and blue girl.
So to all my fellow Americans, today you can choose the trajectory of the United States.
Today who will you be, and whom will you choose to serve?
Be brave and choose YHWH
or
Be a slave and choose
Comfort, Selfishness, and/or Fear
