American Idol

I don’t know when it started, and it’s been decidedly stealth in it’s growing prevalence in me – but I am increasingly aware of something:

I am becoming less and less nationalistic.

Naturally, a few times a year, this is more on the forefront of my mind – and Independence Day, the Fourth of July – has me really digging into my heart. I went back and read what I wrote on this day last year – and while I can wholeheartedly affirm most of what I said then, I can yet see even a few more areas where nationalism has become less, and Kingdom has become more, just in a year.

So it seems I’m going deeper. Further. Further away from nationalism, and even patriotism – and more into Kingdom thinking and seeing and believing.

Following Jesus really messes with your stuff, and often times, that stuff is long-held “beliefs” and traditions and language and attitudes that had perhaps been previously taken for granted, or unexamined. My experience is that the end of this rope of examination will usually fall at the feet of an idol – someone or something that has taken pre-eminence over the Lord Jesus. I’ve previously written about some of these here, here, here and here.

The nostalgia of another celebration of our country has me considering an idol of a different name – that is, the country itself, America.

America, and the American Dream are massive idols for so many – and it is time that they fall.

Don’t hear me to say that I am calling for America itself, to fall. No, I love my country, and am thankful for it. But, it can be, and is so often, a barrier to seeing the Kingdom, and following the King. As such, and as all idols will eventually – it must fall down.

Why is it that being a good Christian is so closely tethered in our culture to being a good American?

Why is it that certain segments of political thought are so tied in to certain segments of Christian belief?

Why is it that any notion of loving our enemies is looked upon as treasonous?

Why is it that any disagreement with military force, in favor of being people of Peace, is treated with scorn?

How many will gather in a building filled with flags this Sunday and celebrate military tributes and songs of bombs bursting in air in lieu of worship to the Prince of Peace?

Is it not obvious that in so many ways our love of country overrides, or is even in direct conflict with, loving and following our Lord?

I can no longer believe that “God blesses America” – or favors His children here – any more than He blesses any other nation. How preposterous we must look when we project this attitude to the rest of the world – Brothers and Sisters that God loves no less, and no more – than us.

There is no such thing as a “Christian nation,” – only people from every tribe, tongue and nation – Sons and Daughters of God, a New Family, revealing His Kingdom into the earth.

Now, celebrating the culture of war and guns and violence and killing (some of which took the lives of others in the Family of God, who happened to hail from a different land) that this nation was founded on and has prospered by, seems not cool. I can still, “pray for our troops.” But I pray for their well-being, along with that of troops from every nation around the world – not for their “victory” in taking life.

Jesus never promised His followers liberties and rights – only Liberty, and a Right. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (the American Dream) are wildly inferior to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Fullness and Joy (the Heavenly Dream).

America is not the fulfillment of Heaven on earth.

Independence is the exact opposite of what we are called into – which is absolute Dependence upon Jesus, and interdependence upon each other.

I am proud to be an American, and thankful for the temporal opportunities and freedom’s that brings – but seeing and Living in the eternal, I am an immigrant here in this temporal – and that means I am more thankful for the eternal Freedom that is not circumstantial to human and civil liberties and luxuries.

My citizenship is in the United States of America, but my Citizenship is in the Kingdom of Heaven.

I can’t pledge allegiance to a flag or an empire – I already have a liege, Jesus is Lord – and my allegiance is to Him and His Kingdom.

His Kingdom is not of this world. He did not come to birth America, and have America then be the hope of the world. He is Hope, and He came to save the world, and to birth His Life and Kingdom through His people, His Family.

The very nature of this Kingdom is subversive to the nature and culture of the world, and of its empires. To follow the King is to renounce all allegiances to prior life and citizenry – to then, too, be not of this world, and in fact, a new species. This is the Gospel. Once you see this, how then can you take oaths and pledge allegiances and celebrate an independence that are not of your New King and New Life?

I can’t.

Look, I realize this isn’t popular. That’s ok. This may not be your jam. If you can serve two masters, I am not here to chunk rocks at you. But ask yourself, no, ask the Lord Himself,

Is love of country getting in the way of Love of Jesus?”

If so, that idol must fall. A house built on anything other than the Rock will eventually be torn down.

Enjoy your 4th. I know I will. Food, fun, sun, family, fireworks – awesome, good stuff. Celebrate and be thankful for all the many things that are so beautiful about ‘Merica. Be grateful for your human and civil liberties, religious and otherwise.

But seek first the Kingdom.