Advent Devotions

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member Milt Warkentien.

We’ve just had the 4th of July holiday and if you’re like me, you might find it difficult to be proud of “red, white and blue” in light of what’s being done in our country. Verses 10-12 in our reading from Sunday talks about the love of money being the root of all evil. It goes on to say we are to shun the love of money and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. We are called to fight the good fight of faith. Isn’t what’s happening in our country happening in many ways because of a lust of money, without regards to anything we are called to pursue? 
   

Throughout history the “red, white and blue” has had some ugly warts, but is that the fault of the “red, white and blue” or because people screw up what could be a wonderful thing? If we’re called to pursue what verse 11 tells us to pursue, how can we not be open to what the “red, white and blue” represents to me? Isn’t freedom of religion a good thing? Isn’t “We the People” supposed to be representation of everyone, no matter gender, race, etc.? How do we uphold what I believe the “red, white and blue” truly represents? 
   

My favorite song is probably “What a Wonderful World.” I’ve been told this song is an awful song because that’s not what the world is like. I’ve been to a hunger dinner where that song was used to represent the rich in the world that don’t share what they have to eat with the rest of the world. I don’t think that’s a fair reaction to that song, just as I don’t think not being able to be proud of the “red, white and blue” is a fair reaction to what the “red, white and blue” represents. The world was created good. In Genesis 1, it states that “God saw that it was good” many times as the world is being created. How then can the world be anything but wonderful? Our forefathers tried creating a country that would be good, too. The “red, white and blue” became a symbol for that goodness. To me, the “red, white and blue” and the song both get unfair treatment because man has screwed up what could be a wonderful world. I said “man” instead of “humanity” because I think it’s generally been men that have screwed things up. 
  

I’m going to leave you with a recording of “What a Wonderful World,” and I want you to think about your feelings for the “red, white and blue” and the words in this song. What is it that you hear and feel? Are you sad, angry, depressed? Can you feel the love of God for God’s creation and the love of freedom and liberty that was sought by the forefathers 250 years ago? 
   

Dear God, help us see the love you have for your creation and help us be good stewards for your world. Help us appreciate what our forefathers strove to create. Help us be beacons of your light to try making this world the wonderful world you intended by living in pursuit of what verse 11 asks us to pursue. Amen