Patriotism: Gratitude, Not Arrogance

As America approaches her 250^th birthday, it’s clear we live in a time where many feel they need to apologize for various parts of American history. While I in no way condone everything in our complex history, let’s consider a different perspective on why America is worth celebrating. After all, magnifying America’s flaws with no recognition of her beauty and worth is irresponsible. Those who shout of her deficiencies while enjoying the safety and freedom she provides are blind to the big picture. If a beloved son or daughter strays from a healthy way of life, do we not keep loving them as we try to help them find their footing again? Do we wash our hands of them because their imperfections make them unworthy to be loved? Of course not. Neither should we do that with America.

America Falls Short of Perfection

Those who seek apologies seem to be comparing America’s path to perfection. Yes, if perfection is our measuring stick, America fails. Just like we fall incredibly short of perfection as human beings (which is why God’s gift of salvation is so powerful).

Compared to utopia, America stinks. People are starving, jobless, and in a million different painful situations. We miss the mark of perfection by miles.

Utopia Does Not Exist

Can we agree that judging America’s success by comparing it to perfection is unrealistic? Perfection does not exist among nations. Countries are run by humans, and humans, by nature, are imperfect. Therefore, attaining such a status isn’t a true option.

We need to view America through a realistic lens. Remember in high school when a teacher would grade on a curve? They would take the highest score in the class and change it to 100%, then bump up everyone else’s scores proportionately, and the entire class would breathe a sigh of relief. This method accounted for the fact that maybe the original grading standards were out of reach to begin with. It was understood that the smartest kid received as high a score as reasonably possible.

What if we graded America on a curve? Not to revel in our A+, excuse shortcomings, or cease to grow, but to remind ourselves that, in comparison to virtually every other country on earth, America is a pretty incredible place to live.

With this perspective in mind, we can change our thinking from “This place is terrible; there are people starving and suffering” to “Yes, there are people starving and suffering, but they still have hope for a future and are better off than most places; this place is pretty great.” America has always held firmly to the values of freedom, human decency, and the pursuit of happiness. These points are widely agreed on, and their reality is worth celebrating. In an imperfect land, we can’t all attain the same outcomes. But we can all reach for the stars, whatever that looks like in each of our lives.

Patriotism Is Not Arrogant

Patriotism is a beautiful thing. It is not arrogant. It doesn’t mean we dislike other countries. Patriotism means loving and supporting the country we have. Knowing there’s always room for growth, but believing in its purpose, power, and future. When we hold family reunions and celebrate our love for each other, we are not saying we dislike other families. We are recognizing that God put us in our specific family and we are grateful he did. Same for our country.

America is a world leader in freedom and democracy. The American system is not perfect, but it has proven itself “better” than other countries’ systems. Just ask anyone who left their home country for America’s rich opportunities. This is entirely different from saying American individuals are “better” than any other individuals. Each and every human bears God’s personal fingerprint, and we are each valued the same in his eyes. Being “better than” other people is not even in the conversation, so don’t hear me saying that. Patriotism celebrates the country that our ancestors fought and died to provide. That’s not arrogance; that’s gratitude.

Preserving Freedom Spreads God and Goodness

America is a gift to its citizens worth celebrating. Here, we are free to live and pursue life based on biblical principles. “Freedom of Religion” prevents the government from ever controlling our religious decisions. Other countries may suppress citizens by requiring certain religions or making others punishable by death, but our beautiful Constitution safeguards against these things. Preserving freedom protects the way we choose to worship as well as the spreading of the gospel. If we are suppressed by an anti-Christian government, our vast numbers of missionaries, resources, and opportunities will disappear, and the world will suffer.

We need to recognize what an enormous gift it is to enjoy freely worshiping and serving God as we choose. To ignore this gift is to live selfishly. As Christians, we are called to pursue goodness and reject evil, and evil will flourish if we do not defend goodness.

Our celebration of freedom is not selfish. It is not “all about us.” If America suffers, so do other countries that we support. If America is to remain a land of opportunity and freedom, if we want to serve and care for those who need it most, if we want to raise healthy families in a safe environment where we’re free to go to church, worship openly, and not fear for our lives, we need to pay attention. As Ronald Reagan famously said, “freedom is only one generation away from extinction.”

America Is a Valuable Gift that Requires Protection

America is a gift purchased with human lives, bloodshed, war, and sacrifice. To brush aside such a valuable gift would be both irresponsible and ungrateful.

Imagine your ancestors purchasing a vast, beautiful property centuries ago. There are fruit trees, a garden, and a stream on the land, along with a pristine mansion that they built over decades with their own hands. They used this property for serving those in need, while also enjoying the peaceful way of life themselves. Imagine your relatives fighting—some sacrificing their very lives—to maintain possession of the property so they could pursue goodness, serve God in big ways, and pass it on to their family.

Now imagine that property being passed on to you and selling it to the highest bidder with no regard for your ancestors’ blood, sweat, tears, and vision. The new owners go on to destroy the beauty, hope, and provision that once flourished there because they have zero understanding of the history, vision, and purpose. A tragic tale, yes?

We need to understand history so we can respect the journey we’ve come from; the growth we’ve experienced; the good things we’ve accomplished. It’s empowering to uphold the legacy of goodness and freedom that so many before us fought to uphold; humbling to be a part of such a vast, important journey.

All good things are worth fighting for, America included. When I look at the flag, I don’t see a decoration or even a symbol. I see face after face of soldier who fought and sacrificed so that we could live in peace and freedom. I tear up more than I’d like to admit when America is the topic at hand because of a gut-level appreciation of the passion and sacrifice, not only in 1776 but every year following, to keep America free so we can pursue all the good things God wants for his people, world-wide.

Preserving Freedom Aids in the Spirit’s Mission

Contrary to somewhat-popular belief, I don’t believe God’s goodness simply awaits us in heaven; I believe He is real and active and is bringing his Kingdom to earth here and now through the Holy Spirit. Maybe not fully—yet. Maybe not perfectly—yet. But his Kingdom breaks through regardless, because His Spirit is alive and well here on earth. Maintaining America’s freedom is a crucial way to fight evil and partner with God to live out and spread his goodness and gospel throughout the world.

No Apologies

So this summer, I don’t apologize. I don’t apologize for my patriotic decorations. I don’t apologize for partying like it’s 1776 when Independence Day rolls around. I don’t apologize for wanting every American to respect this beautiful, wonderful, flawed land of opportunity that we are so blessed to live in. I don’t apologize for absolutely loving and appreciating my country, praying for its health, safety, and success.

I would never dare say America is “God’s favorite.” God has no favorites. But I do recognize that God’s hand was in America’s founding, as we sought His principles to establish our government. Freedom is in our DNA as Americans and as children of God, and I will celebrate and defend it without apology.

You don’t need my permission to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday for all you’re worth this summer. But you have it. What a massive gift we’ve been given to build our lives here, and what an insult to the gift-giver if we don’t fully appreciate and care for it. Don’t be mad at America for not being perfect. Perfection is an illusion. Love America for being one of the greatest places to live in spite of her flaws. Again… that’s not arrogance; it’s gratitude.

(Thanks for reading! If you like Christian fiction with plenty of patriotism, consider checking out A Mess of Dreams, a 1943 home front romance!)