I’ve recently been thinking about how thankful I am for the United States. It is certainly easy to take things for granted and focus on some obvious problems, but if we are willing to look, we can find reasons to thank God for this country.
As a Christian my desire is to live a life that is peaceable, quiet, and biblically faithful life (1 Tim. 2:2). I know that there are going to be neighbors, coworkers, politicians, and university professors who are out of step with my worldview. This is okay. It’s an opportunity. America gives me this opportunity.
I don’t take it for granted that I was born in a country where the gospel had taken root centuries before. God graciously allowed the flame of the gospel to continue to burn—and even flourish throughout our history. I could’ve been born in a country or region that is unreached. But, as God would have it, he has graciously allowed me to be born and raise here where evangelists roam the streets and sit in office cubicles. America certainly has her worts, but this is a too often overlooked virtue. And it’s an important one.
Now as a pastor I think about how thankful I am that we can assemble freely as a church while declaring our loyalty to and longing for our coming King. We are able to boldly preach and teach the Word of God without fear of being thrown in jail. This is a gift not shared by our brothers and sisters in every country.
As a church we regularly pray for and zealously pursue opportunities to plant and strengthen churches. Thank God we live in a country where this is possible. We can openly train, plan, and pursue the establishment of more churches.
I am also thankful for the overall pursuit of peace, justice, and security. I know things are not perfect, and there are obvious limitations in each of these categories. But when we look around the world and throughout history, we who live in the United States are extremely blessed to live here and now.
I know that our country is not perfect (far from it). I will certainly not be homesick when I tread upon the streets in the Celestial City. But living in America is an occasion for us to thank God. For me, the most important things in this world are the church and my family. I am grateful to God that as of now both are able to cared for and given opportunity to flourish.