REFLECTIONS

Indivisible

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. These easily recognizable words from the Pledge of Allegiance were written during the Civil War by a Union Captain named George Thatcher Balsh. Since then, the original version has been modified a few times, the most notable to credit God’s hand in the founding and blessing of our country.

For believers, it’s easy to look at history to find God’s blessing in its founding. Liberty to worship God as one pleases bonded a people together, through a vow called Declaration of Independence, in the battles to win just that. And the Civil War fought to keep it that way—indivisible. There are ongoing differences in strategy and philosophy, often heated, that feel like disunity is just one disagreement away; but not so fast.

Annually, and in grand style, we recognize the anniversary of our country’s birth. Fireworks, patriotic music, and hotdogs and apple pie fill the day with pleasures afforded by personal freedoms, all enjoyed from God’s blessing. In much the same way, we celebrate each year the anniversaries of our marriages.

God’s hand is present there too. The joining of a man and woman in holy matrimony is listed among the earliest of God’s creations. Traditional marriage ceremonies include the exchange of vows in the passionate desire to be together. But the vows are more than tradition. They are a pledge of a man and a woman before God to sacrifice their personal freedom for the remainder of their lives, and to become one flesh through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, through good times and bad that all marriages are bound to face. And they also promise to love, cherish, and honor one another whether they feel like it or not. Indivisible, they promise each other to be.

It’s never easy to keep it together. So, just like the Civil War, and the life challenges husbands and wives face together, sometimes we must fight for it. But it’s worth the sacrifice. Here’s how Jesus did it.  

I stand with the Father, who sent me. I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:16, 28-30)

…just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:15, 30)

Indivisible.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org.

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