One of the things that is currently bugging me is how the phrase "God bless America" has been reduced to a meaningless slogan. One sees those words on bumper stickers, electronic marquees at car dealerships, in drug store windows, etc. I would venture to say that it has become a marketing device: "Mr. Smith, if you want to sell more used cars, we recommend you slap a God Bless America Sticker on each one." It's become a litmus test of sorts and it makes me ill. There is no longer anything remotely theological about that phrase, it's just words.
And maybe that's okay. You see, for the most part, I like that phrase. If we're speaking it in truth we are asking God to bless our nation. It's not a bad request. However, the feeling I often get is that this phrase is not used as a supplication, as in "God, won't you please bless this country?" Rather, it is used as an implied imperative: "God, bless America now!" As if we as a nation are somehow entitled to God's blessing.
So I was driving a couple of weeks ago with Jen and the kids and we pulled up behind a car and I saw the familiar American flag with the familiar phrase next to it. But wait! It wasn't the same phrase. This sticker said "America Bless God." I love it. By simply moving two words the tone of the phrase was dramatically changed. Now, rather than sounding arrogant and demanding (at least to me) it has a sense of humility about it, tinged with the prophetic. It recognizes that we have a responsibility in this relationship and calls us to live up to that responsibility.
America bless God. It's a great response. But what does it look like to bless God? Micah 6:8 is a great place to start: justice, mercy, and humility. Could the U.S. use more of that?
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2 comments:
"Kill Your Television"
Zeke Fantastic,
Thanks for posting. I hear the if/then thing, but I'm a little uncomfortable with it. There seem to be too many instances in Scripture where righteous people are dumped on and wicked people thrive. I think we simply need to go about the business of blessing God as individuals, churches, nation, etc., and not worry about whether or not God is going to bless us in return. Maybe it will happen, maybe not. I guess I'm saying that shouldn't be our motivation.
Believe it or not I have never read Dallas Willard. Actually, that's not true. I received two copies of The Divine Conspiracy for my ordination and read two chapters without ever really getting into it. I know that book and everything else he reads is great stuff, or so everyone says. Someday I'll give it another chance. I also haven't ever seen Shindler's List. I don't always do well with things that come highly recommended...probably because I like discovering things on my own. I'm selfish that way. Sigh.
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