Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
This Friday, June 14, is National Flag Day (usflag.org/history/flagday.html). The American flag is a symbol of unity with reminders for the present (a star for each of the current 50 states) and our origin (a stripe for each of the original 13 colonies who declared their/our independence from tyranny and who developed the Constitution of the United States by which we have existed as a nation and probably only by which we can continue to do so).
Although no official declaration has been made about the colors except the specific colors themselves (the AARP has a story about flag myths), it’s traditionally accepted that red signifies hardiness and valor, white represents purity and innocence, and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice. Hence, the flag itself signifies all the constitutional freedoms and protections we enjoy that so many in our military and law enforcement have protected through the centuries (thank you all!).
In a 1914 Flag Day address, Interior Secretary Franklin K. Lane repeated what the flag had said to him that morning: "I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself" That’s correct: If you love America because we’re a great nation, you’ll see that greatness in the flag; if you have hatred for America, you’ll only see hatred, but it’s all about you (Titus 1:15).
Anyway, flags and similar symbols have been around for millennia. Since Old Testament times, troops have marched majestically carrying banners (flags) while citizens sent them to war and rejoiced in their victories by also waving banners, recognizing it’s God who gives all good gifts/blessings, including victories (Song of Solomon 6:4; Psalm 20:5; 1 Samuel 17:45-47; 2 Chronicles 32:8; James 1:16-18).
In the wilderness, each Israelite man was to set up camp under his own banner, probably referring to the flag of his ancestral tribe (Numbers 1:52; 10:14). Even if Israel had a national banner at that time, each tribe having its own banner didn’t cause disunity any more than each American state having its own flag because each state’s flag gives precedence to the American flag. Contrary to some people’s belief, by Texas law, the Texas flag isn’t given any higher status than any other state’s flag when flown with the American flag (snopes.com/fact-check/high-flier/).
Christians, even those who are citizens of America, are citizens of a greater nation whose banner flies higher than our flag, without taking any glory from Old Glory or the good ol’ USA (Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:9-16; Romans 13:1-2, 5-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4). Our banner is God himself, represented by Jesus (Exodus 17:15; Isaiah 11:10). God’s banner over us is love because God is love, and those who love him must show it by loving others and having a national respect (Song of Solomon 2:4; 1 John 4:16, 7-12; 1 Peter 2:17).
Do you revere God? Honor America by praying we’ll be unified again and continue to be great (Jeremiah 29:7, 11; Psalm 122:6-9).
Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]