America, Dark but Lovely
So, for the record, I love this country. I really like America, it’s been a journey to get there, but I’m (sigh) even ‘proud to be an American.’
Let me share a little story. About six years ago, I was visiting the North African country of Tunisia with some friends of mine. I was with them as they were deciding whether to move to Tunisia.
While there, I was feeling rather embarrassed of being an American. I’d heard many stories of ugly Americans abroad: loud, self-centered, culturally insensitive people who boast of American superiority. I felt guilty for their sins. I was a self-hating American. I thought, “how unfortunate that all these other nations must tolerate our weaknesses; how noble of them to suffer long with us.”
About a week into the trip, we were invited to dinner at the home of a very generous Swiss-German couple. In talking with them, I was exceedingly apologetic, and self-conscious of my American stench. My self-deprecating humor and unredeemed cynicism spilled out. As I waxed philosophical about how difficult it must be for them to endure American pride and arrogance; they looked at me like I was crazy.
They began to talk about the Americans that they know as generous, warm and caring people. They explained that though there are some in the world who despise America, there are many more who have a love and appreciation for the US. It was an epiphany. America is dark but lovely. My goal in these posts is not to trash America. As I discovered in Tunisia, to hate America is merely a misguided form of self-hatred.
Neither is my goal to trash the founding fathers. I acknowledge that many of the things I love about America I owe to their leadership. The pluralistic society they founded has enabled myself and many millions to worship God with freedom and joy. I can say with sincerity that I am thankful for that gift. Free speech is a powerful gift, empowering the message of the Gospel to run freely. A free militia is a wonderful ‘check’ against the temptation of tyranny.
However, to hold up an American flag emblazoned with “in God we trust” is misleading. To declare the US as a ‘Christian nation’ is misleading and inaccurate. We are simply not a nation filled with Christ-like humility. I have little interest in defending the godliness of the American experiment. I see the broad strokes of God’s sovereign and perfect leadership; but not a specific divine blessing upon the US because of our piety. God loves America, (with all of her warts) but He didn’t found America.
