While you may have just read that phrase as one complete thought, more often than not, we tend to insert a pause right in the middle when we audibly recite the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation (pause) under God.
We pause, more than likely because the words “under God” were an addition to Francis Bellamy’s original pledge written in 1892. In 1954, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to include the notion as our country’s response to the rising threat of godless Communism. As people relearned the pledge, a pause to remember the new words probably became a natural part of the new rhythm.
Many would argue that America today is anything but a godly nation. Unfortunately, the same could be said of every country across the globe. Nevertheless, God remains the same. His love remains the same. He loves and pursues every person in every land. Jesus said it Himself, “… the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). And He called us to do the same, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19).
That said, I appreciate the wisdom and counsel of the following quote from Jim Cymbala: How will America (or any other nation) become more godly? Before any change can be seen nationally, the men and women who make up that nation must be transformed individually. (God’s Grace from Ground Zero)
Church Family, our nation – much less the world – will not find answers for our challenges, bridges for our divisions, peace for our conflicts, or healing for our brokenness… we will not find them apart from Jesus. Who He is, and what He says and does transcends human politics, secular social movements, and religious traditions (Tony Evans, Kingdom Agenda).
And when that true transformation (Romans 12:1 – 2) takes place in us personally, His Holy Spirit then moves through us into our families, our friendships, our churches, our workplaces, even permeating the culture of our society, of our nation. Under God.
Every area of my life… under God.
What a thought. Enough to give me pause.