There Is a Time and Place!

Let me start this post by saying you will not find a more patriotic person than me anywhere.  I grew up as an Air Force brat! I still get a lump in my throat when I see our flag and hear our national anthem.  I am proud of the men and women who have served or are serving our country to protect it from our enemies.  My own daddy fought against Mussolini in WWII and fought again in the Korean conflict.  I understand the bravery needed. I have high school and college friends who served in Viet Nam, Desert Storm and now in the Middle East.  I honor each one and appreciate greatly what each has done for freedom. I also have been to other countries where the freedoms we enjoy are absent.  I understand what a great country we have BUT I serve Someone much higher and more powerful than our country.  He is the One who set me free and asks only that I give Him the praise and worship that He deserves. 

This morning, Sunday, July 3^rd, there were celebrations of America all over this land. Many sang with gusto America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner.  Many pledged allegiance to our flag.   I too sat in a service like this and while the love for my country tried to come forth  I suddenly felt a conviction that in this place, God and God alone should be honored.  He was being usurped by an allegiance to the gift of freedom (the USA) but not the Giver of freedom.  There were tears in people’s eyes as patriotic songs were sung and much applause for what we have accomplished as a nation.  My spirit grieved that He seldom gets this kind of reaction when we sing of Him and what He has done. 

Please understand, I did not grieve because we were doing these things…they are appropriate things to do, but not during the time and place devoted to worshiping God and God alone.  We offer Him very little of our time as it is, and this should have been a time to fall before Him thanking Him for His freedom.  Fall before Him repenting for how we have forgotten Him.  Fall before Him trembling for the judgment that seems to be coming.   

Yes, celebrate our heritage. But do it on a Saturday night or even a Sunday night.  But the one morning a week we have to corporately show our Father how much He means to us should not be taken over by patting each other on the back.  After all, it was God who gave us the victories.  It was God who gave us liberty.  And it is He who should be honored first and foremost. 

Yes, I love our country.  I also love the Saints and Mississippi State football!  I will cheer for all of these things at the right and appropriate times…but on a Sunday morning, in corporate worship, every cheer, every tear, every passion should be given to the One who made all things possible.  Tomorrow, July 4^th, I will wave my flag but today, it should have been His banner…the banner of the cross…