the patriotic pastor…

If I were a pastor yesterday, I wouldn’t have talked about patriotism. I don’t know why, but the idea of propping up patriotism with the Bible seems a bit like “seeing” Elvis in a potato chip. You might want to see it, but that doesn’t mean its there.

So, if I were a pastor on the 4th it seems to me the message to our people would go something like this:
We have graciously and sovereignly been given so much simply by being born here. It is a gift to be thankful for. And a gift not to squander on ourselves, but to give back. If the people of God are a people called out for His possession then we must honor the one who has given us our very life. We do this by serving one another and the world around us. We are blessed to be a blessing.

It reminds me of a verse* I have been thinking about lately…
Galatians 5:13 // For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

(*This is also probably strengthening my anti-fireworks stance. If we haven’t talked about this, ask me sometime.)