My friend Angus Mathie over in Scotland sent me a question a few weeks back…
I am preaching at a local church, coincidentally, on the fourth of July. I have been reading from a photograph of the Declaration of Independence. I realize that I am asking a lot but is it possible to inform me what this Day means to you as a US citizen and how does the average person celebrate the Day?
I do not want to put you to a lot of trouble but I am really interested in your point of view. Please don’t be concerned about my reaction to anything you would say as I don’t cherish Britain’s colonial past at all.
With love, Angus.
Thought I’d share my thoughts here as well…
“Please don’t be concerned about my reaction to anything you would say as I don’t cherish Britain’s colonial past at all.”
🙂 I’d never worry about that with you Angus. You’ve always impressed me with your generous and gracious nature.
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July 4th is an interesting political holiday, celebrating the American Empire and our freedoms.
And the holiday definitely means something different to nearly every American you talk to.
I have friends and family who do big July 4th parties celebrating our American Independence and our country’s “Christian heritage.” They have hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and red,white and blue deserts. And talk a lot about how our nation was founded on Christian principles and how our *country* must return to those principles or we’ll watch our country fall to pieces.
I have other friends (of Hispanic background) who do a big cookout with fajitas, tacos and the fixings, with little mention of America’s past one way or the other.
And I have other friends who see it as little more than a day off work to enjoy a parade, perhaps a rodeo, or a day on the lake.
I’ve taken part in all of the above and have enjoyed the company of friends and family at each of them.
For myself, July 4th has always been the holiday we get to shoot and watch fireworks. That was always the highlight of the summer for me as a youth. Saving up my money, spending a wad of cash on fireworks and watching it all go up in flames (literally) within a couple hours.
I’ve always appreciated the sacrifices people have given so I can live in a “free country.” But lately I’ve found myself becoming more at odds with the American Empire.
Not that I’m a traitor or ex-patriot nor am I a rebel rouser, hoping to overthrow an evil government.
I’ve just found myself at odds with placing my trust in the ways of our government and the men that run them.
So many Americans quickly idolize the “American way” vs following “The Way” Jesus of Nazareth.
We too quickly put our self-interests before the interests of others.
We’re too concerned about “our rights” being trampled, rather than caring for the rights of our neighbor.
And when I say we — I point just as many fingers back at myself as anyone else.
And please don’t misread that I’m calling for a theocratic state. I’m simply calling for followers of Jesus to really examine their allegiance to a state that continues to abuse, murder and destroy their enemies in the name of freedom and democracy (throughout its history).
Another world IS possible — and another America IS possible.
I hope that July 4th will remind us of that but before it starts anywhere — it must start with me.
I’m constantly reminding myself about this short chorus from Derek Webb’s “King and A Kingdom,” may this be our call, whatever country we live in.
My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
It’s to a King & a Kingdom
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As an additional note, I heard something amazing on NPR this morning as they talked about American history and some of our founding brothers.
It’s always a struggle to live up to what we say we believe in.
As they talked about the founding brothers, they noted how they struggled to live up to the ideals they often talked and wrote about.
The founders claimed all men were created equal and yet some of those same men, like Jefferson, continued to see blacks as an inferior race.
And we continue to struggle with actually living out our beliefs — whatever they may be.
I hope that as we celebrate this 4th, we do celebrate our independence and we do celebrate our freedoms. And we realize that there are many around us who don’t have these same freedoms to celebrate.
Happy 4th of July America.
May we be a people that learn to really live out our beliefs and create a better tomorrow for everyone.
