During the current political season one voice has consistently advocated an extreme nationalistic isolationism. He has embraced a buzz slogan, “America First.” This sounds good but it needs careful and prayerful parsing.
This is not something new in our nation’s history. It has resurfaced during times of international crisis. It was especially prevalent in the 1930s when war was scorching European earth. Such iconic voices as that of aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh called for America to stay out of the European conflict.
When the call is for America to close its gates and draw back from globalization, what should be the stance of Christ followers? I am convinced that a person with the heart and mind of a missionary is driven to global concern and involvement. I believe God has preserved the United Kingdom and the United States of America not because they are uniquely special and deserving. I believe it is because they have been sending nations, launching grounds for meeting global human and spiritual needs.
When transformed men went out from Jerusalem with the good news about the resurrected Jesus, they had a global vision. Their rejection of orthodox isolationism was with an understanding of God’s great plan for redemption. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world…”
When Paul was confronted by Christ and drawn to Him, he came quickly to understand that God had blessed the Jews as a chosen people not because they were special. It was because He was committed to something special through them. Tragically, they did not get it.
John captured their lack of understanding when he was inspired to write in John 1:9-13, “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
It is essential for a professing Christian to understand that he is first and above all else a citizen of Heaven. “This world is not our home; we are just passing through. Our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.”
A Christian can and should be a good citizen of his country. However, he must not be ruled by a blind nationalism.
This was the mistaken fervor that allowed the German people to follow a mad man. He promised to make Germany great again. Instead, he led those who were enchanted by his rants to be complicit in the murder of millions of people. The embracing of his nationalistic zeal led to the devastation of a continent.
A rightly focused Christ follower has a global vision. He longs for that day when he will join the heavenly multitude in singing a new song.
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9, NASB).’”
All of this has caused me to think afresh about something I wrote five years ago:
“God Bless America” has been called the unofficial national anthem of the United States of America.
Since the tragic terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D. C. on September 11, 2001, it has been sung at hundreds of events, including during the seventh inning stretch at every game of our Baseball World Series.
Its title can be seen on thousands of bumper stickers, window cards, T-shirts, yard signs and web pages.
The song was written in 1918 by Irving Berlin, a Jewish immigrant who was brought from his home in Siberia to America when he was only five years old. The composition was laid aside until the fall of 1938, when war was threatening Europe and the world. His first proof copy of a revision is dated October 31, 1938. On November 2, he had the final version of the song in hand. Kate Smith sang it on her radio broadcast on Armistice Day, November 11, 1938. It was an immediate sensation.
I like “God Bless America” and I love my country, but each time I hear the song, I ask, “Why?”
God bless America — Why?
So that we might play while brave men die?
So that we might lock our doors and forget to pray,
Instead of trusting in God and seizing the day?
God bless America — Why?
So that we might grow fat while hungry children cry?
So that we might sleep securely behind “Do Not Disturb,”
While persecuted people hurt and die unheard?
God bless America — Why?
So that there might be no difficulty in our land or sky?
So that we might simply fly and feel secure;
Never being forced to face down fear?
No — America was not born of such selfish stuff!
O God, wake us up and say, “Enough!”
You have blessed us before and You can bless us still,
To glorify Yourself and to do Your will.
Liberty was not bought at Lexington and Concord
For the weak and greedy to abuse and hoard.
Gettysburg’s thousands must not have died in vain;
Their blood bought unity and allowed freedom to reign.
On Flanders’ Field, at Omaha Beach and on Corregidor
We fought for something more than securing our shore.
In Viet Nam and the Persian Gulf, we stood for right,
Even when some said, “Stay out. It’s not our fight.”
Blessings are not for the selfish to hold,
But for the blessed to give back a hundred-fold.
God bless America, that she might bless the world,
Wherever our Star-Spangled Banner is unfurled.
In this land of the free and the home of the brave;
Bountifully we’ve received and freely we gave.
Again, let us hateful terrorists shame
By sharing our fruit in Liberty’s strong name.
If America is to be blessed from sea to sea,
Let her determine afresh a blessing to be.
Let us say “no” to lust, shame and greed.
Before God, let us remember why we were freed.
© 2011 Wayne Bristow
