But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness. James 3:17-18 There is a major fault line in our country and it isn’t the San Andreas. Its the American Flag. As a pastor trying to know how to respond, here is my two cents worth.
When I first started working for a church, I was assigned oversight of the church’s teenage population: Ages 12-20. I was the youth pastor, the hired gun to control all the other young guns. One Sunday morning two boys wore blue jeans to church. They were not your average church kids who came reluctantly with thier mom and dad, but they were neighborhood kids who 'wanted' to come. They came to church on their own. But in the eyes of some, they were disrespecting God when they wore blue jeans. One parent in the congregation who did not like this, let me know how they felt a little offended and protective of the majesty of God. So after church they said, “Some of your students are dishonoring God by wearing jeans in the sanctuary. You need to do something about it.” So I asked him what the proper dress code before God was and he said, “In the Old Testament priests wore robes in honor of God and we should wear suits and ties in the same manner to honor God.” I told him I didn’t see the connection and these two students simply wanted to worship God as they were, they had no other agenda. He looked at me and said, “Jeans are an active sign of rebellion going all the way back to the sixties with sit-ins and out of control Woodstock parties and orgies.” I said,”These kids weren’t born until the late 80’s, they have no idea what a sit-in is and jeans are no longer signs of rebellion but rather standard fair in every part of life.” The man walked away in a huff. I realized we were at a generational impasse. As much as we both tried to argue our case, the more we discussed the more entrenched we became. I had the same sort of discussion with another man a few years later about drums in the sanctuary. “Those are the devil’s drums playing demonic beats that arouse animal spirits.” I said it is simply background accompaniment for “Lord I Lift your Name on High.” He too walked away in a huff. Another impasse. Today while driving my kids to school, all over the radio were discussions concerning the kneeling by the NFL players and President Trump's response. I think we are at another major impasse that may divide our country if we are not careful. I, by nature and the way I was raised, have a deep respect and regard for the flag. I have learned to see the American flag as a symbol of dedication, sacrifice and honor. My grandfather was scarred from mustard gas in WW1 and the American flag was cherished by him. When France was liberated he was able to walk through the Arch De Triumph in Paris behind the banner of the red, white and blue. My dad who was an MP in Army was given a military salute with flag and bullet shells for his funeral. The American flag means something to me. But to a large part of our country the American flag symbolizes white privilege and an unjust criminal justice system. Now to be honest with you, I don't understand why that is when those who are kneeling make more money in one year than my grandfather and father, who sacrificed for this country, have ever seen in their life. But for many reasons, and some of it is from a ginned-up media conflict that brings in ratings, they feel marginalized in our country. Now I can scream at them until I am blue in the face and tell them to stop disrespecting my flag, but they don't see it that way. They just don't. We are truly at an impasse, and race has become the demarcation line. So what do we do? Do we get mad and ramp up the anger? Do we hate "one another?" Or as Christians do we become instruments of peace? Let me offer you a few ideas…
Honestly, this issue will not go away. But if we don't change as Christians, it may get very nasty before all is said and done. As it stands, so will I when the flag is flying during the national anthem. And as an American I will give others their free right to protest. That is what America is about.
1 Comment
2/6/2018 12:53:11 pm
I really like your blog. There are some very interesting stories and points here that really got my attention. Thank you for sharing this!
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