God Blessed America?

by Reba Collins

For the past two weeks I’ve driven by this church sign and wondered what they mean – “God Blessed America because America Blessed God.”

What a loaded statement. Does it mean that God was pleased with our nation’s founders, so he granted us independence? Does it mean we once were a “Christian nation,” but now we’ve gone to hell in a hand basket? Is this group trying to say that that we once found favor with God, but no longer do – much like the story of Israel in the Old Testament?

Their sign also makes me wonder about that group’s beliefs and practices. Their use of the past tense for “blessed” does not escape my notice, and it shouldn’t yours either. The statement clearly implies that they believe that we, as a nation, are not being blessed right now. And I wonder why they feel that way. Is it because they are stuck in the past? Do they remember some selective glory days yet ignore our nation’s history of slavery, discrimination, and the not-so-equal-rights of minorities, including women? I wonder if they believe that those conditions reflected the loving nature of God back then. Maybe they feel we’ve abandoned obedience for cultural openness, and God’s not happy with us. I wonder, finally, how they interpret Jesus’ ministry of radical inclusivity and helping people on the fringes of society.

Or maybe my interpretations are all wrong. Either way, I am simply left to wonder.

I tried to find out more information about this group, but they don’t have a Website. I found a Facebook page, but it’s bare. To know where this group truly stands, I’d have to visit, and based solely on what their church sign says, I’m going to pass. I can easily choose to visit a different group that doesn’t leave me to wonder who they are and where they stand.

So today I celebrate the Fourth of July because we, as people of faith, continue to be blessed by a God who is always at work in faith communities of all shapes, sizes, and varieties, and in all countries of the world. And what a blessing it is to have total freedom to choose a faith community that reflects the forgiveness, grace, and amazing love of God in whichever  way we can experience Him most fully.

Happy July 4^th, America, and thank you, God, for your many blessings!