🇺🇸 Faithful Citizens: A 4th of July Reflection on Loving America with Open Eyes and a Whole Heart

I'm pausing the series "Saturating the World with Shalom" to reflect on the 4th of July. We'll start the series back up in a couple days.

I love America.

I love the ideals we aspire to—liberty and justice for all, the freedom of worship and speech, the dignity of every person, and the right to participate in our shared democracy. I love the natural beauty of this land and the rich diversity of its people. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given here, and I don’t take those freedoms lightly.

The 4th of July is a time to remember and give thanks for the many blessings of living in this country. It’s a time to celebrate our freedoms and honor those who have sacrificed to defend them.

But it’s also a time for truth.

Because I also see our brokenness.

Our history bears wounds—of slavery and displacement, of segregation and violence, of greed and exploitation. Our present reveals fractures—partisan division, systemic injustice, disinformation, apathy, and growing distrust. The government, like any human institution, is limited and flawed. The American Church has sometimes forgotten its prophetic voice, exchanging gospel truth for political power.

Yet, my love for America is not diminished by this honesty—it is deepened.

As a follower of Jesus, I believe love is not blind. Real love tells the truth. Real love seeks the good, even when it costs something. It is not unpatriotic to critique America; it is unpatriotic not to. For those of us who believe in both grace and truth, it is precisely because we love this country that we refuse to settle for half-hearted justice or hollow freedom.

We live as citizens of two kingdoms. As Americans, we engage our civic responsibilities—voting, advocating, serving our neighbors. But as citizens of the Kingdom of God, we bring a higher allegiance. We seek not just personal peace, but the flourishing of all. We are peacemakers, truth-tellers, justice-seekers. Our hope is not in the flag, but in the cross.

And yet—we’re called to stay rooted.

A believer’s heart for their community leads naturally to a love for their country—not a shallow nationalism, but a deep desire to see our nation reflect more of God’s justice, mercy, and compassion. We are stewards of the place we live. We plant gardens here, raise families here, vote here, worship here. And we pray for our leaders—not with naïve idealism, but with informed, persistent hope.

So this Independence Day, may we live as faithful citizens:
Loving America without idolizing it.
Critiquing it without abandoning it.
Working not for power or privilege, but for the common good.
And always remembering that our deepest loyalty is to the One who is making all things new.

Live Sent Practice:

🇺🇸 Practice Civic Discipleship this 4th of July.
As you celebrate, take time to pray for your local, state, and national leaders. Attend a community event—not just to observe, but to engage.
Ask: “Where is justice missing in my community? How can I be a faithful presence?”