Is God Trying To Get The Attention of the United States?

I hope people will pause to listen to His reminders.

I speak my truth as it relates to issues and concerns about the ability of the family to engage in education and in their community.

The cloud of darkness that covers our country due to unrest, poverty, toxic stress, hopelessness, sickness, fear, suspicion, anger, death, racism, desperation, sorrow, and so many other factors have resulted in sharing my perspective. In doing so, I ultimately offer

hope.

Patriotism

There are many symbols that communicate one’s devotion to the United States. They include patriotic songs like the “National Anthem” and “The Star Spangled Banner”. Wearing as well as displaying red, white, and blue, the national colors, communicates loyalty to our country. Reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance of the United States” offers another one of these outward signs.

This expression of allegiance is what will be analyzed for the rest of this article. It reads:

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

I believe that reflecting on some of the key words of this pledge as this article will do has the capacity to open blinded eyes so that wrongs will be transformed into what is right. I also believe that if human beings add warmth to their cold hearts that healing has the capacity to be brought to our troubled country.

One Nation Under God

The basis of this part of the “Pledge of Allegiance” is what the Founding Fathers of this nation believed. As they formed the United States, they considered it to be under the shelter, protection, and safety of God.

This belief is embedded in the Bible. Psalm 46:1 reads:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

For Christians, this also refers to embracing the reality that the unconditional and eternal love of God encompasses this nation. Psalm 36:7,

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings” ,

affirms this.

Also included in this One Nation Under God section of the pledge are the following the laws that God established for humankind. The most sacred Christian principles from God are embedded in the Ten Commandments. These rules for living that are written in contemporary language follow.

The Ten Commands

You should have not other gods before Me.

You should not make idols.

You should not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

You should remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

You should honor your father and your mother.

You should not kill.

You should not commit adultery.

You should not steal.

You should not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You should not covet.

Simply stated, some people within our country have lost sight of what it means to be good and decent human being.

Indivisible

Unity brings people together in harmony.

Those who advocate for peace promote a spirit of cooperation among all citizens in this nation.

The word indivisible is a very courageous word in the “Pledge of Allegiance” because it boldly speaks to the determination humans must have to stick together within our national society.

With Liberty and Justice For All

This is the final component of the “Pledge of Allegiance” that will be explored.

Every citizen and inhabitant of the United States deserve to live in a nation where they have freedom. They have the right to experience equality and fairness in every phase of their life.

The Statue of Liberty is a universal reminder of the democracy, justice, and freedom from oppression that is supposed to exist within the boarders of the United States. On November 2, 1883, Emma Lazarus wrote a poem called “The New Colossus” that appears on the base of this national monument. A verse of this poem reads:

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

In addition, July 4, 1776, the date of the Declaration of Independence, is inscribed on the tablet that Lady Liberty holds.

All of these inscriptions on the Statue of Liberty and the words, “with liberty and justice for all” interconnected with the other.

The Reason for the National Chaos

Several tragic, horrendous, and disastrous conditions have been caused by a total disregard for the fundamental principles that are supposed to be the foundational principles of the United States. These terrible circumstances have become pervasive. All of these atrocities will be examined against the backdrop of the “Pledge of Allegiance”.

1. Political affiliation has deeply divided the United States. Our country has become Republican and Democratic. One political party stands for maintaining a democracy while the other political party upholds social conservatism. This has redefined how many citizens exclusively consider themselves. Instead of Americans functioning as a unifying force that enables all people to work and exist together in harmony for the common good, political discord continues to prevail.
2. Police brutality is very much alive in this country. The horrific recorded images of the brutal execution of George Floyd being choked to death by the knee of an evil and despicable police officer along with so many other sad incidents of the use of excessive force by law enforcement has brought this issue to the forefront of concerns shared by many people. Such wretched systemic injustices are also contrary to the founding principles of the United States.
3. Racism has existed in this country for over 400 years. Also connected to police brutality, every incident of racism repeatedly rips open the wounds that were once thought to be partially healed or in the state of healing. For Black people and other people groups victimized racism, discrimination, unconscious bias, inequality, and other forms of hatred, liberty, freedom, and justice are nonexistent. Racism as well as police brutality justifies the power of the Black Lives Matters Movement because change is needed in the area. Unified and diverse voices will facilitate that change.
4. The pandemic has heightened economic and health care disparities. Job loss and unemployment continue to rise due to the impact of the guidelines associated with the pandemic. This includes social distancing. Food insecurity has adversely impacted many families along with the slow distribution of unemployment and stimulus payments. Also troubling is the reality that Black people are more like to be hospitalized and die from the Covid-19. All of these distressing discrepancies are closely linked to the suffering historically endured by the oppressed and powerless.
5. Many powerful and highly visible religious leaders and pastors who identify themselves as Evangelicals within the Christian community have become highly political. (This certainly does not apply to all Christian leaders.) Instead of being passionately devoted to a mission that includes sharing the love of God, they have become divisive proponents of a Republican agenda. Instead of boldly speaking out against the ghastly atrocities that continue to hold so many precious human beings hostage today due to various inequalities and taking actions to change the conditions for these citizens, they have been hosting campaigns, rallies, and other events to endorse President Trump for a second term. The most unbelievable thing is that many of these gatherings have been held in churches. Instead of aggressively leading efforts to offer tangible help for people who are living in unthinkable conditions all over the United States, many of these church leaders exclusively endorse the Pro Life Movement. (I, too, am Pro Life. However, I am speaking my truth about the problems associated with mixing politics with religion.) Instead of maintaining a humble heart of a servant of God, some are more concerned about advancing their very own prosperity agenda. Instead of exclusively honoring God, they hold their political views, political positions, and political affiliations higher than Him. This is contrary to remaining under the authority of a majestic God. Furthermore, God is not a political being. God is sovereign.
6. Most significantly, the lack of leadership displayed from highest office in the United States has resulted in civil unrest steadily gaining momentum. Conditions are so bad that discussions are mounting about the possibility of a Civil War erupting in the near future. The lack of genuine empathy and compassion for those suffering due to racism and police brutality reflects his lack of leadership. The refusal to lead by example when the president simply refuses to wear a mask while in public during the pandemic has caused countless Americans to follow his lead to also refuse to wear masks. The failure to take aggressive, decisive, and consistent actions to protect United States citizenry as Covid-19 began to intensify because it was considered a hoax caused many people to down play the seriousness of the power of the virus by ignoring social distancing guidelines. The level of irresponsibility displayed by urging health care professionals to stop testing so many people is utterly heart breaking and unbelievable. (Yet the president continues to protect himself by being administered daily tests.) The death rate due to the pandemic is climbing steadily because of the actions of the president. There are more examples of the lack of leadership. Behaviors like mocking people with disabilities and the continuous engagement in hate-filled as well as disgraceful rhetoric cannot be erased by striking a fake pose with an upside down Holy Bible in hand. All of these and many more distressful acts are extremely contrary to God’s love as well as the love that the President of the United States should have for all of the men, women, children, and infants of his nation.

Reminders From God

Despite all of the turmoil that has powerfully disrupted every sector of our society, comfort can be found by listening to the still small voice that comes from the heart. I believe that God speaks to His children that way. I also believe that He speaks to His children through the Bible. No matter the way He chooses speaks to us, it is my belief that He reminds us of some important things that will give us hope for a much better tomorrow.

The voice of God can be heard when we pause to listen.

Can you hear Him speak?

1. People are given a free will. They have the innate power and ability to make their very own choices. People who blindly uphold everything, including all of the wrong, distasteful, and offensive things that the president does simply because he is a Republican are absolutely wrong. Instead, people must adhere to Romans 12:9. It reads, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Individuals must be determined to follow what represents what is right and pleasing to God.
2. The Golden Rule provides the greatest lesson in empathy and compassion. Found in Matthew 7:12, it states “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This biblical principle provides the answer to the racial divide and it resolves matters involving police brutality. If people interacted with other human beings the way that they want to be dealt with, healing would be released in our country.
3. Love builds the capacity to solve many of the problems that plague humankind. The commandment found in John 15:12 says “Love one another as I have loved you.” Love releases the ability to care for other people unconditionally. So, despite the level of discomfort associated with wearing a mask during the pandemic and the pleasure that is sacrificed because of social distancing, individuals concerned for the well-being of others will adhere to these health and safety guidelines without complaint. Love enables these things to happen and doing so will slow the spread of Covid-19.
4. The ultimate answer to so many of the troubles that have adversely impacted the United States are located in 2 Chronicles 7:14 of the Holy Bible. It reads: “If My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray, and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.”

I really believe all of these reminders embedded in the Bible will reverse the dangerous and unsafe course this country is headed in. These reminders from God will release wholeness, healing, justice, liberty, forgiveness, love, and equality that all American citizens have the right to have. We just just to pause and listen.

I invite you to join me by uniting together to create change in this area. Be sure to sign up to be on my email list at [email protected] to receive a periodic copy of my newsletter and specific information about advancing the

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Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, School Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Assistant to the Superintendent for Family and Community Engagement, and Professor of Multicultural Education. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and her YouTude channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ.