Love Your Homeland

Today in the United States of America we celebrate Independence Day. (Sadly, it’s one of the few days a year when we can actually call ourselves the United States and have there be any significant visible truth to that statement.) This is the day when we can truly say that America was born, and so we celebrate our country today.

Walt Disney loved America. He was proud of his country, and grateful for the opportunities he had because he lived here. No matter where he was, he always considered himself an American. Even the dedication plaque for Disneyland says, “Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.“

Walt was a model of what it means to be an American patriot. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “patriotism” as “love for or devotion to one’s country.” It’s good to have that for the place you live. It’s better to have it for your real home.

If you’re a Christian, America is not your home. This world is not your home. Your citizenship is in heaven. Your true identity is not “American” but “Child of God.” You can be proud to live in this country and be an American, but don’t let it overshadow your real citizenship.

And just as Walt created Disneyland to not only celebrate America but also to be a source of joy and inspiration to everyone–including those outside of America–let your heavenly citizenship and the way you conduct yourself as a citizen of that place be a light to those around you, whether “fellow citizens” or not.

Question: How can your heavenly citizenship be a source of joy and inspiration to those around you? Talk about it in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.