"One nation under God."
"From sea to shining sea."
"In God we trust."
"Sweet land of liberty."
I know the songs. I know the words,
all woven into my heart.
I've been fed the milk of patriotism
from a very early start.
I feel the thump of my heart
as I salute our flag.
But as the years gather behind me
questions start to nag.
"Patriotism is morality."
"In your country take great pride."
"Swear allegiance to your flag."
"God is on our side."
God is on our side?
America is His team?
We plant our flag at the front of His church,
"I claim this" we seem to scream.
One nation under God
is not an exclusive right.
They're ALL under God
every day and every night.
The title of "American"
is a badge we wear with show.
"It's what makes us who we are!
Who we are from head to toe!"
So why am I in turmoil
when asked to join the ranks
of worshippers of our country
who to their heritage give great thanks?
My heart is heavy and torn
because to my country I haven't been true.
I can't pledge loyalty to my country
because I've sworn it to a crucified Jew.
He bled and died for me.
He fought to bring me life.
And I've happily given my soul
and am part of the church, His beautiful wife.
So you see the title of "Christian"
is all that's left of me.
My nationality is in heaven.
It's GOD who has set me free.
On the day I joined His ranks
He could have brought me home.
He could have ended mortality there
and said, "No more need you roam."
But He didn't. He left me here.
For a purpose oh so grand!
I am to serve and further His kingdom.
(Not protect the interests of my motherland.)
So while this country I still love
and enjoy the blessings it has been given,
dear God, let my work on earth
be not for it's glory that I have striven.
If I die, let it be for you God!
Not for red, white, and blue.
Let my worship not be at a striped banner
but sang from my church pew!
Is nationalism holy?
No. No, I think it not.
History has proved it a trap
into which the church is often caught.
So, though it seem sacrilegious
to say America is NOT holy,
though it might be offensive to all,
and they might say I don't understand fully,
I'll still say out loud
and declare the truth from my heart,
"My whole being belongs to God!
The whole thing! Not just a part!"
It matters not whether I am
Chinese, Dutch, or Iranian.
Whether I hail from Mexico
or call myself French Canadian.
Remember, oh American Christian,
your brothers are spread far and wide,
Your family stretches throughout the globe,
even across borders, the "other side."
Your duty is to your mission --
to show the world God's love.
Let the world see where you truly belong
that your citizenship is from above.
Don't fear being a stranger to the world.
Who cares if you're an oddity to your neighbor?
You belong to something more
and for a Higher Power do you labor.
So put not too much stock
into your Nationality.
Don't hold too tightly to your flag
or bow down to Lady Liberty.
If God turned against America
on His side may you stand.
It's arrogance to believe
that our nation is His holy right hand.
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56693919@N02/17131117977">Jasper Johns' "The Flag" revisited.</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license)</a>
