(My 43rd birthday cake – a few years ago)
When I was a child I was intrigued by my mother’s coin collection. She had bicentennial quarters and wheat pennies, both of which were minted before I was born. I was especially intrigued by her stories of celebrating America’s bicentennial. I would then ask her if she was going to celebrate America’s tricentennial, after which she would help me do the math on how old we would each be. It felt so far off! I may or may not make it to the tricentennial, but 6 year old me couldn’t have imagined making it to the 250th either!
I’ve heard from a number of our community members how this Independence Day doesn’t feel like the celebratory occasion they once thought it would be. I feel that. But, I also keep coming back to the image of making a wish and blowing out birthday candles. What, I wonder, do we wish for our country on this evening of our semiquincentennial?
How about:
A wish for a peaceable society for all?
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:8).
A wish for justice that brings life and not retribution?
But let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24)
A wish for the full welcome of strangers?
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2)
A wish for freedom that doesn’t harm others?
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another (Galatians 5:13).
A wish for equality between people, no matter their ethnic identity, social status, or gender identity?
There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)
What are you wishing for our country on its birthday weekend? May the breath of the Spirit fill you with hope as you close your eyes, wish deeply, and blow out the Spirit’s presence.
Blessings,
Pastor Amy
