Misplaced Loyalties

This is Memorial Day Weekend here in the States. Memorial Day is a secular national holiday that was created for the purpose of remembering and honoring soldiers and veterans. Somewhere along the way of history, the American church has whole-heartedly embraced this holiday and the patriotism that accompanies it. This morning at church, we started the service with a procession of the American and Christian flags, the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance. Seemingly apologetically, the Pledge to the Christian flag was thrown in as well. Then all of our music time this morning was patriotic music. As this show of Americana was taking place, my heart was breaking! Here we were, assembled to worship God and we pledge ourselves to a country that is not our home. (As Christians, our citizenship is in heaven despite what our passports might say!) Then, instead of singing songs in honor and worship of our King Jesus, we sing about how great this country is. Surely our 'worship' this morning was not the pleasing and acceptable kind of worship that we were created for. Now, don't get me wrong, I am thankful for my American passport and the freedoms that come with it, but I am MUCH more thankful for my heavenly citizenship and the unmerited love and grace of my KING JESUS!