I’ve been thinking a lot about this American life I lead, this week. Particularly because I’ve been doing things so ridiculously American. Things only Americans are privileged to do. It’s just struck me in a new way, maybe because of the 4th of July holiday, or maybe just because lately I’ve been taking a look at my life and what counts for eternity.
On Wednesday, our family went to Valleyfair, a big amusement park in the Twin Cities. Just the words “amusement park” are so very American. We rode roller coasters all day long. Seemed a funny and oh-so-American thing to do. Riding roller coasters, screaming your head off, when most of the world is starving or on the brink of poverty. It was also interesting to me that whenever we were thirsty we could stop at any food vendor and ask for a drink of water and they had to give us cold water. Because that’s the law here in Minnesota. When it’s hot and people get dehydrated at these places, they at least have to provide you with safe, clean drinking water. That’s a right we have in America that we don’t even think about. Cold, clean water. In fact, we so take it for granted that when we were satisfied, we dumped the water on the ground and threw our cups away. In fact, 1.1 billion people in the world lack access to clean drinking water. And, 1.8 billion people who have access to a water source within 1 kilometer, but not in their house or yard, consume around 20 liters per day. In the United Kingdom the average person uses more than 50 liters of water a day flushing toilets (where average daily water usage is about 150 liters a day. The highest average water use in the world is in the US, at 600 liters day.) This is not to make anyone feel guilty, it’s simply a fact.
Yesterday I took the kids to Fincke’s Berry Farm to pick strawberries. As I picked I thought, “You know, strawberries are a luxury.” I mean do I really NEED strawberries to survive? No. But, I have the time and resources to afford strawberries. And the people out there picking were doing the menial labor of picking, not because they had to, but simply for FUN! We have that luxury here in America. While my kids eat strawberries, around 27-28 percent of all children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or stunted. The two regions that account for the bulk of the deficit are South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
On this note of food, I also had this thought at the grocery store the other day in the produce department. I had the luxury of picking the exact size of potatoes I wanted. I started to realize it was really kinda silly. Not, “Oh wow, I can eat potatoes!” But, “No, that potato is too big, I want just the perfect size baby potato for my grill.” I mean, seriously, the scope of the produce alone at SuperOne is enough to boggle the mind if you really stop and think about it.
And all silliness aside, the fact that I can write a blog everyday about my 80 some pairs of shoes while 80% of the world lives on less than $10 a day, is kinda sobering.
So, what’s my point in all of this? Do I think Valleyfair, clean water, strawberries, shoes and lots of food are wrong? Absolutely not! I just think that we need to be more mindful of this American life we’ve been blessed with. I think we need to slow down and think about what we’re doing and where we’re going. I think we do need to consume less and give more. I think our lives need to have more margin in them both financially, spiritually and time-wise. I think we need to be grateful and not waste this American life we’ve been given.
On a purely physical plane we need to be grateful for the sacrifices made and being made on our behalf. I have a friend in the Navy, who is currently deployed. She works all night long in a dangerous country, so I can sleep in peace here in America. I don’t take that for granted. She’s exhausted right now. She’s far from home. She’s young, only 26 and she’s willing to serve her country. She has a huge burden on her, and yet she bears it willingly. How wrong it would be for me to just traipse through my life not stopping to thank her and think about the blessings in my life because of her and the thousands of others like her both home and abroad. And I think we do these brave men and women a great disservice when we continue to live our lives selfishly, thinking nothing’s going to change. Rushing around from our jobs, to our vacations, to our big SUV’s, to the next pleasurable pursuit without giving anything back to our country at all! How can you serve your fellowman? Volunteer at the homeless shelter? Write an encouraging letter to your congressman? Pray for your congressman? Get involved in the foster care system? Pick up litter on the side of the road? Volunteer at the local animal shelter? Be a Big Brother or Big Sister? Write to a serviceman or woman overseas? The options are limitless. The point is, in the words of Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.”
Then I think there’s the gratefulness we need to have on a spiritual plane. In our church we sing patriotic songs on the 4th of July Sunday. I have to admit this bothers me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as patriotic as the next person. Hearing Lee Greenwood sing, “God Bless the USA” always makes me cry. But. . .when we join together on Sunday as a Body, we are joining together to worship Christ, not America. I believe there is a time and a place for patriotic songs. A parade, a 4th of July celebration, but not church. We need to remember as a Body Who gives us this American life we live.
Romans 13:1 “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
I think here in America we like to think WE established our country ON Christian principles, when in fact, it was GOD who established our country and HE can do away with it at any time HE chooses. Remember, this life is not about YOU, it’s all about GOD. Don’t forget that. HE is the main player here.
Not only that, but if we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we are not first and foremost citizens of America. We don’t first pledge our allegiance to the flag, we pledge our allegiance to the Lamb of God.
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22
In light of this, don’t waste this American life you’ve been given by God. We have incredible freedom to serve Jesus Christ here in America. We are not persecuted for our faith. Anything we would in our naiveté term as “persecution” is NOT! We are not arrested, we are not attacked or killed. So, share the Gospel boldly! Be willing to sacrifice your life by going to another country where there IS persecution to share the Gospel. Give generously and sacrificially of your time and especially your money. Don’t come to the end of your life and just retire in Florida! Keep serving. Finish strong!
So, this 4th of July, be grateful for the soldiers who bled and died to give you this American life you lead.
Be even more grateful and utterly in awe of the Savior who bled and died to give you an eternal life in heaven and who allows you the incredible privilege of serving Him here on earth in this American life.
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