The Anthem, Knees and a Bridge

Today our Country has so many needs and so many areas it can be healed. Old wounds are resurfacing in fresh ways, spurring intense debates and feelings in all directions. The events that have transpired recently have shared raw emotions on several platforms, leaving many feeling angered, frustrated, and misunderstood. Just reading Facebook, I can see the vast differences we share in many things and the burdens that come with these personal convictions. Yet through all of this, we have the chance to go deeper into the issues that run through our hearts and in our country’s makeup.

In fact, now is our moment to go where we never gone, so we can arise to a place we’ve never been.

The anthem, knees and a bridge are dominating discussions and debates all over our country. I’m saddened that many people are simply making points but missing hearts; therefore, many conversations stop at quibbling over symptoms, declaring who is right and wrong. This leads to nothing – no change or healing. Thus, we stay stuck instead moving ahead.

It’s clear that in Christ we are to love God and love people which means we must value, respect and seek to understand each other.

This means we make peace instead of keeping the peace. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” in Matthew 5. His Church must arise past banter and debating, so that we can unite on what unites us. From this place, Jesus can heal our hearts and begin to merge us together. His light is the answer to areas of injustice, gaps and division. Jesus, church should not let politics, agendas or race divide us, since we are connected by the Holy Spirit. It’s beneath us to splinter over American culture, when we are called to change the culture.

“From one man He created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.”

Acts 17:26

Notice every nationality is connected to each other. Because America is a nation of immigrants, we must sit at the table of brotherhood and come together, being washed clean of our pride and division. Jesus is calling us to more than that! He is calling us to humility.

Pride makes excuses, humility makes adjustments!

Will we make adjustments in our hearts toward others, ourselves and beyond? Humility leads to honor, so what would happen if we would honor each other instead of resisting each other? I think we would have a revival of healing, restoration and love like never before in our country. This is what the church is called to do. I believe we can through the power of Jesus.

So what about the anthem, knees and a bridge?

The Anthem: We honor and value the national anthem, as it represents so much we have in America with our freedom, opportunity and more. I’m thankful for the men and women from all ethnicities who have given their lives and who have/are serving our country. What courage they have and what respect they deserve! Thank you, and we love you. Without you, our nation wouldn’t be what it is.

The Knees: We must seek to understand the perspective of these individuals who are making this protest. Unity is not conformity; therefore, we can think differently and still come together. We can see things from different aspects and come together. We can believe different things and respect, love and stand together as one. If we don’t do this, how will we ever be healed? If we don’t do this, how can we ever address what is broken? We can disagree and not dishonor! So before we get on tangents, let’s listen and seek to understand. This is humility, and this is a start toward healing.

A Bridge: Being a bridge must be our position and attitude. This is what Jesus did, and this is what we can do in our nation. America is comprised of all nationalities coming here in a variety of ways, yet here we are. Our moment is now. We can be the greatest nation for a reason we’ve yet to see; love each other, value each other and crush all forms of bigotry. Let’s be Jesus to all people. Let the church come arise hand in hand with the anthem, knees and a bridge.

I believe God can do it, and He will use you and me to be a part. Take your place and be strong in Him.

Have a great week and the best is yet to come,
PD