A Life in Exile

I’m going to start this post with an experience that may set me apart from you right off the bat—I grew up in the 1960s and 70s. There, I’ve said it, and it places me within a specific historical time period of my home country, the United States. Before the internet and social media, my memories of the 4^th of July celebrations center around fireworks, hamburgers, hot dogs, and watermelon. And, yes, I admit it: I was alive and well during the 200^th anniversary celebration of America’s birthday in 1976. The fact that I have lived through two momentous commemorations of our nation’s history is just weird in my mind.

So, all that said, I loved my country and proudly celebrated Independence Day every year. Then I left the land I loved and traveled and lived in other places, among other peoples who spoke other languages and lived under different kinds of government systems. I have lived in six different nations, and traveled to many more. I know what it’s like to live under a dictator, a socialist government, and in places where elections are beyond questionable.

While living in those places, I had the privilege of celebrating America’s Independence Day with my fellow compatriots, who also lived overseas. The US Embassies would host great parties with free hamburgers and hot dogs, music, games, and a speech by the Ambassador. For me, I never felt more patriotic than when I celebrated my country in another country.

Times have changed, or have they?

My idealistic views may seem impossible for you to grasp today. After all, haven’t things changed since 9/11 and the ensuing War on Terror, the Great Recession, political divisions, the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation, October 7^th, and our recent conflict with Iran? American presidents in the last twenty years have done little to unite our country. With a growing dissatisfaction in American politics comes a growing apathy toward our country in general. I get it.

While you left this country to serve the cause of Christ, you may also have wondered if there are better places in this world than home. Your growing frustration with American life made you believe the lie that we’re not the greatest nation. Surely, there are better places to live.

Then it happened. You found out that your new place of service isn’t all that great either. Corruption rules, driving is terrifying, prices are high for the locals, and being a Christ-follower comes with a high price. Maybe America is not so bad after all.

So, is it wrong to be proud of your country?

Just as our desire to support Israel comes with baggage, so too does our support for America. To say I love the Jewish people because they are the people of God’s covenant with Abraham does not mean I support everything the Israeli government does. I can still love a nation without approving of everything a government does.

The same holds true for America. As an American, and as a well-traveled American, I do recognize the uniqueness of our nation. It is founded on Judeo-Christian values and teachings and has a unique form of government with purposeful checks and balances. This is our greatness and has kept our people free for 250 years now. Does this mean I have supported every decision made by our leaders from local to state and federal governments? No. Do we get it wrong sometimes? Yes. Is there corruption? Yes. But this does not mean that our constitutional republic is still not the best form of government. The freedom of religion that we have in America is known nowhere else in the world. The rights guaranteed in our Constitution are to be upheld and fought for.

So, though you may struggle to tell others you are an American, I think you will find more times than not that the nationals you meet would switch places with you in a heartbeat. Even this week, as I write this, I hear stories of the visitors we have in the States for the FIFA World Cup, and how enamored they are at what they find in our country. It’s a great place to visit. It’s a great place to live. It’s not wrong to be proud.

Finding balance in our patriotism

One of the big topics of conversation among Christians today relates to the term “Christian nationalism.” This can mean a variety of things, depending on whom you ask. I bring it up now because I know, as an American who served overseas, my first desire was for people to see Jesus in me, not America in me. That can become difficult when our love for country overshadows our love for Christ. If I go around dressed in American flag attire, insist on speaking English, and “make disciples” that look like they came out of an American church service, then it’s no wonder nationals don’t see Jesus.

Even as I live now in the United States, I want people to see Jesus in all I do, and that includes how I celebrate my country’s birthday. I’ve been thinking and reading a lot about our founding, and the impact of faith in those early years. That increases my thankfulness for this country, but also increases my prayer life for my nation now. If I’m not praying for my country and only celebrating special events, then I’m failing as a Christian citizen of this great land and contributing to our decline.

As a Christian missionary, it’s important to remember this. Because of our freedom and strong religious foundation, America has become the greatest missionary sending force in history. You’re a part of that. I’m a part of that. It’s something to be thankful for. I’m proud to be an American, and I’m prouder still that because of our strong churches that stayed true to the Great Commission, Christ has been and is still being made known among the nations. That’s something to celebrate.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these other posts on patriotism: America: The Good, the Bad, and the Exceptional, Being an American Missionary in a Presidential Election Year, and Freedom Days.