From Pastor Biar’s Pen 

God Bless the USA

     One of the more entertaining social media trends going around right now is watching the video logs of Europeans reacting to American culture as they’ve traveled here for the world cup. Things we take for granted such as 24-hour gas stations, restaurants serving comfort food, the patriotic pride of hanging our flag everywhere, people being generally friendly and accommodating to strangers on the street, and so on prove mind-boggling as they realize that we aren’t quite the dystopian warzone that the media presents us as. They’re a pretty fun watch if you want to feel particularly proud to be American.

     As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, it’s worth reflecting on these small but significant bits of our shared culture that exist amongst the otherwise seemingly insurmountable chasms of the divides we do face as a nation. It’s good to remember that – despite political muckraking and doomscrolling and fear-based clickbait – there is still good in our country. And it is good and right to thank God that His providence has seen fit to see her through her eventful – if relatively short – history. 

     Let us remember that we are called to pray for our nation and its leaders, whether we agree with everything the government is doing or not. While we are ultimately citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we do have a duty towards the nation. Just as Judah was told to “seek the welfare of [Babylon] where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare,” we have been given the vocation – the calling – of serving as Americans who have been placed here to add to the welfare of our fellow Americans. 

     She may not always be a perfect nation, but she’s the one we have been given by God. So let us pray for her as we thank our heavenly Father and ask Him to continue to bless her through the storms of the upcoming years. Happy Independence Day!

God’s blessings, Pastor Biar.

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