What does it mean to you?
On this Sunday Morning Coming Down, I was challenged about the meaning of the American flag. Oh, it really wasn't a challenge, but rather an offer of comment on the way I am displaying my flag currently. You see, I am currently flying my flag upside down as as sign of national distress (and much more) and a friend commented that he disagreed since he didn't believe it should be used in a political context. Now, I have no big issue with him, a man I very much respect, but I decided perhaps I should explain the context from which I see things, something that I believe shows we are in much more agreement than others might think. And that is why I decided to write today's blog for Sunday Morning Coming Down.
The flag as shown above is, of course, the way it is normally flown, but of late I have been flying it upside down. Upside down is the way it is flown as a sign of national distress and my friend, clearly well intentioned for sure, was concerned that I was using it as a political sign and certainly someone could consider that the case if he so chose. I am doing so, however, for a reason much bigger than politics, for it is one based on how I live my life and the place that my faith as a Christian plays in that life. Perhaps if I spend a moment discussing the symbolism found in the flag it might help explain.
Now we all know that the flag contains a blue rectangle on the upper inside containing fifty stars, one for each state in the Union. It also has thirteen stripes, seven red and six white, representing the thirteen original Colonies, then States, that made up our nation from the beginning. The colors are also significant, with red representing valor, blue vigilance and white signifying purity and innocence. But especially remember this. The fifty states are represented by stars signifying the relationship to heaven above and the concept of a Providence, or Great Creator at the center of the new nation, clearly relating to the words used in our Declaration of Independence and thereby assumed as part of the later written Constitution. So, keep that in mind, for I think it makes clear there is a direct relationship between our nation, created by a Divine Creator, God, which has direct implications for faith far beyond politics.
When I look at the beauty of the American flag which I fly daily, it reminds me of how the connection of my faith to the purpose and meaning of the flag is foremost in what I believe. God, the Creator of us and this nation, gave His blessing to Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and a host of yearning Colonials for freedom from servitude and subservience to a foreign land to which they had previously owed allegiance, but one which had forsaken their interest for self-serving British interests without Colonial participation and those brave Colonists balked. Were they perfect? No, far from it, as none of us are, yet they had a vision for a future of freedom and self-determination which God gave to them in accordance with free will which drove them on. And today, when I sadly watch an out-of-touch government hellbent on destroying our Constitution and the will of the governed, I know that my feelings are far greater than political life, rather, they are inclusive of my very existence. And that is why I am flying my flag in accordance with national distress, for the nation is under distress and we Christians and Jews of faith who know from which the nation was formed, not from a historical re-write, are fully aware. So I fly my flag upside down directly showing what I believe by my faith. It extends far beyond politics and I see it as a way of speaking our for my faith as well as my love for my country, not based on any political party, but based on common sense, honesty and my faith. And that's why I have done what I have done and write this today. You don't have to like it, you can despise it if you wish, but please don't say it is about politics for it is, frankly, about the totality of life and my freedom to live it under God.
Dear Lord, We thank you for being here for us always and for providing so many wondrous things that we sometimes take for granted, including our own country. We know you are eternal, almighty and can do anything you wish, and we ask you to guide us in doing what is needed to retain this great country in whatever way you would have us do. And we ask this prayer in the name of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
The flag as shown above is, of course, the way it is normally flown, but of late I have been flying it upside down. Upside down is the way it is flown as a sign of national distress and my friend, clearly well intentioned for sure, was concerned that I was using it as a political sign and certainly someone could consider that the case if he so chose. I am doing so, however, for a reason much bigger than politics, for it is one based on how I live my life and the place that my faith as a Christian plays in that life. Perhaps if I spend a moment discussing the symbolism found in the flag it might help explain.
Now we all know that the flag contains a blue rectangle on the upper inside containing fifty stars, one for each state in the Union. It also has thirteen stripes, seven red and six white, representing the thirteen original Colonies, then States, that made up our nation from the beginning. The colors are also significant, with red representing valor, blue vigilance and white signifying purity and innocence. But especially remember this. The fifty states are represented by stars signifying the relationship to heaven above and the concept of a Providence, or Great Creator at the center of the new nation, clearly relating to the words used in our Declaration of Independence and thereby assumed as part of the later written Constitution. So, keep that in mind, for I think it makes clear there is a direct relationship between our nation, created by a Divine Creator, God, which has direct implications for faith far beyond politics.
When I look at the beauty of the American flag which I fly daily, it reminds me of how the connection of my faith to the purpose and meaning of the flag is foremost in what I believe. God, the Creator of us and this nation, gave His blessing to Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and a host of yearning Colonials for freedom from servitude and subservience to a foreign land to which they had previously owed allegiance, but one which had forsaken their interest for self-serving British interests without Colonial participation and those brave Colonists balked. Were they perfect? No, far from it, as none of us are, yet they had a vision for a future of freedom and self-determination which God gave to them in accordance with free will which drove them on. And today, when I sadly watch an out-of-touch government hellbent on destroying our Constitution and the will of the governed, I know that my feelings are far greater than political life, rather, they are inclusive of my very existence. And that is why I am flying my flag in accordance with national distress, for the nation is under distress and we Christians and Jews of faith who know from which the nation was formed, not from a historical re-write, are fully aware. So I fly my flag upside down directly showing what I believe by my faith. It extends far beyond politics and I see it as a way of speaking our for my faith as well as my love for my country, not based on any political party, but based on common sense, honesty and my faith. And that's why I have done what I have done and write this today. You don't have to like it, you can despise it if you wish, but please don't say it is about politics for it is, frankly, about the totality of life and my freedom to live it under God.
Dear Lord, We thank you for being here for us always and for providing so many wondrous things that we sometimes take for granted, including our own country. We know you are eternal, almighty and can do anything you wish, and we ask you to guide us in doing what is needed to retain this great country in whatever way you would have us do. And we ask this prayer in the name of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
A nation of faith under distress.
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