Skip to main content

Can we Love our Country Too Much?

 


I am musing about this:

Can we love our country too much?

Is to love America to not love the world?

There seems to be those who think that it is wrong to be nationalistic; to really love and care about one's country.

First, are they right?

This is something we must all consider and evaluate.

Are we "worshiping our country"? Do we have it on too high of a pedestal? Are we valuing our nation above other nations in a way that somehow indicates that we do not genuinely care for the good of other nations?

Let us think about that.

(Pause)

(Ponder)

(Pray)

As I consider, I realize that God had a special love for His "chosen" people, His nation of Israel. He desired their obedience and wanted to bless them (to even gather them to Him as a Hen with her chicks). He had a plan for them. It was His hope, His desire, His plan, that ALL nations would be blessed through them.

So...do we acknowledge that we, in this beautiful blessed USA, are also BLESSED BY GOD THAT WE MIGHT BLESS OTHERS?

Blessed with a nation that is strong, free and safe.

As we are strong, do we help the weak?

 As we are free, do we use our freedom to help those who are not?

As we are safe, do we  safely reach out to others?

This analogy which can relate to our nation came to mind.

There is a fairly well off family in a poverty stricken neighborhood. The parents have opened their home to all the neighborhood kids. "Come" they say, "Eat our food, drink our water, make yourself at home, ask us any questions and we will listen and advise, use our car, our family is your family."  In time, their own kids realized that their parents, though they loved them, just did not have the time, energy and resources for them. They began to lose their sense of identity; to feel lost. The place became trashed. They were always out of food. Their was confusion and chaos. They meant well.

But then there was another family on yet another street. Same neighborhood. They provided for their own. They spent time with their kids, teaching them, advising them, listening to them. They cared for them physically. Their home was organized and clean (sometimes:). They had a heart for the neighborhood. They reached out. They invited them in for meals, they took time to call on them. They had funds to help as needed, and help they did. Their kids were involved in the outreach as well.  Above all, they prayed, acknowledging the source of their gifts and resources. They were prepared, equipped and impassioned. And they were effective.

And then there is this other family. The dad works. Sometimes. Less all the time. He has a rich uncle (his name may be Sam) who told him that he would take care of them. But ....it's kind of a long story and I don't really like the ending..

One more family, lives in the same neighborhood, the next street over. Self made. Worked hard. Plenty of cash. Kids dress nice, Take nice trips. Really "into their family". Mom and Dad occasionally wave to the neighbors. Their kids...I'm not sure they even notice their neighbors.

(Pause)

(Ponder)

(Pray)

                                


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

God Stories. What's yours?

    I am marveling at God stories. What's yours?? Our daughter has a good friend. Her name is Stephanie. She is creative, talented, bubbly, sensitive and loves Jesus! And she wrote a book. For kids. About God. Called Always Remember . It is different then most kid's books. It has a poetic lilt which is beautiful, but atypical in its cadence. It's wording is unique; yet lovely. It is simple and it is deep.  It's premise is pivotal, declaring Truth! It is almost layered in that each reading of this basically simple book helps peel back another level of understanding and appreciation. It is a book that is actually instructional. It should be read often as a way to reflect and then to live. The main theme is teaching kids (and adults alike) to... Stop. Ponder. Remember God. To see Him every day in everything. To align daily with who He is. It is beautifully illustrated, with large colorful pictures that engage, teach, enlighten and intrigue. She shared how the book was firs...
3 comments
Read more

There once was a fly....

  I am musing on a story that begins like this.... There once was a fly. There once was a fly. It lived in Salt Lake City. More specifically, in Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah. Kingsbury Hall is the Performing Arts Center. So that fly had the opportunity to view many productions. Last night, that fly was viewing a televised production that likely millions were watching. As that fly buzzed around, it decided to land on a nice head of white hair. And stay there awhile. Little did he know, that he was sitting on the head of the Vice President of the United States. Little did he know how important the role of Vice President of the United States is. Little did he know how important the upcoming election which was being debated is. Little did he know how much of that country's future was at stake. Little did he know how many prayers were being offered for that man upon whose head he sat... and  for those he works with Little did he know of the challenges that...
2 comments
Read more

What I Saw Today

 I am musing...                                                                                                            ~11/2020 about what I saw today I stepped into the med room this morning. It is a little room off of the west side nurse's station.  It was quiet back there. And what I saw made my heart sing with a sense of grateful comfort. There on the counter, someone had left an open Bible. It was sitting there, a testimony that someone had likely taken a moment to grab a deep breath  and glean some divine words of encouragement. It was still open, inviting others to also partake from the comfort of it's living pages. Like for so many, this has been a really tough season for all of us. Nurses, aide...
3 comments
Read more