Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Today is National Flag Day, celebrating acceptance of the American flag’s design on this date in 1777.
Although celebrated since at least 1885, Flag Day wasn’t a holiday until 1916, and it didn’t become a national holiday until 1949. In a 1914 Flag Day address, Interior Secretary Franklin Lane quoted the flag’s “statement” to him that morning as, “I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright beam of color, a symbol of yourself.”
Our Star Spangled Banner deserves respect because it symbolizes the unity and greatness of our country and its people and the greater sacrifice of life, limb, and time given by so many to defend that flag protecting our land, the freedoms we enjoy, and our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Every American owes a great debt of love and gratitude to those who have defended our flag.
Still, the flag is only what we make it. Lack of love for country (including its appearance), our fellow citizens, and even ourselves through abuse and neglect is a lack of love for our flag and vice versa.
When we trash our land, ourselves, or our neighbors, we trash our flag and show a great disrespect for each other and for the cost of our country’s greatness reflected by each citizen in each community.
The city of Tucumcari’s recall election took place earlier this week. The people will have spoken as provided for in our Constitution and God will have shown his will in regard to his previously chosen leaders for the city (Romans 13:1-7).
Whether or not the city faces a change in leadership, we must continue to make our community attractive to prospective industry and tourism. This applies not only to the environment — the physical beauty of the city and surrounding area — but also to how we treat each other.
As citizens of the United States of America living in Quay County, we can be bright beams of color most vividly when we allow Jesus, the true standard of life, to shine through us showing that we also have citizenship in his kingdom (Exodus 17:15; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:5-7; Philippians 3:20, 21).
By living as citizens of heaven, we show ourselves to also be devout citizens of this great nation and community (Jeremiah 29:7-10; 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Jesus’ banner is one of love, which is to be our only outstanding debt (Song of Songs 2:4; John 13:34, 35; Romans 13:8; 15:1-2). Maintaining that debt will cause others to rally round giving praise to God, and some might even desire to become citizens of Jesus’ kingdom, the church (1 Peter 2:11, 12; 3:15, 16; Matthew 5:14-16; Colossians 1:13, 14).
So, take care of yourself (Philippians 2:1-5). Be good to others (Matthew 7:12; Corinthians 10:23-24). Be responsible stewards of this part of the earth called America that God has given us charge over (Genesis 1:26-31).
And whatever you do, don’t trash our flag.
Leonard Lauriault writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]