A Curious Country

Last updated on: July 4, 2016 at 3:15 pm by Brenda Renee Coats

A Curious Country 2016-07-04T15:15:00-07:00 Brenda Renee Coats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

We live in a curious country. Like pimpled teenagers, we are in an awkward phase, trying to figure out who we are and what we believe. Or more accurately, we are trying to be someone we aren’t, just to fit in. I liked us better when we didn’t fit in. When we went against the grain. When we didn’t kowtow to murderers and rapists and terrorists, but set our face like a flint toward the One who led us in paths of righteousness. When we would do right, come what may, because we were committed to truth. THE truth — not something we’ve deemed our own personal truth.

I liked us better when we were us – the US. Not perfect by any means, but holding fast to our forefathers’ wishes, and their sentiment that we were all created equal, all endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights – among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We’ve lost much, and in many ways, we are strangers in our own land. But I still love us, the US. I see the remnants. The leftovers of what we were, and I find hope. Not in humanity, but in God, who gave us ultimate freedom, and is willing to show us the way back to true freedom of country, if we are wise enough to submit to His truth.

He is sovereign, and I trust Him with whatever leader He appoints (yes, His vote trumps all others). But I often sit bewildered and aching for another way. I simply fail to understand. His thoughts aren’t mine. His ways aren’t mine. I’m hurting at my lack of options. The lack of direction. The void of solid, noble, human leadership. And yet, I am keenly aware that rough, confusing times are often what brings His people closest to Him. And that’s the ultimate blessing we are all wittingly or unwittingly longing for.

So this 4th, I’m hanging my flag with a bit of a droopy bicep. My strength sags and my heart hurts, but I DO raise it. Not because I have faith in painted stars and stripes. But because I am grateful for the freedom I have known at the expense of others. And because I have faith in the One who can make Old Glory great again. Not supreme. Not sovereign. Just great. Great, in that it might once again become a reflection of the One who IS great and supreme and sovereign.

Happy Independence Day, friends. With trusting hearts, may we sing the words of Melchoir Teschner, penned in 1613, throughout this day, this election, this century:

O Father, you are sovereign in all affairs of man;

No pow’rs of death or darkness can thwart your perfect plan.

All chance and change transcending supreme in time and space,

You hold your trusting children secure in your embrace.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

June 12, 2016

When The Doctor Calls on Your Birthday to Say You Have Cancer

Next Post

August 12, 2016 Be The Best Whatever!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 May 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who built an ark to survive a great flood?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Noah Abraham Moses David