Loyalty is a beautiful attribute to have, and I have always tried to be loyal to the people and things I love. My wife and children – God – my country – my friends – my community; there are so many ways to support and contribute to the world through acts of loyalty. I wonder, though, what happens when loyalty goes wrong? I have seen it happen; churches whose pastors commit grave sins will often rally around the person and support them, even at the expense of the integrity of the community and their commitment to God. Most of us certainly vote out of loyalty to a party, and as long as that party or those elected officials are doing what’s right for the community they represent, loyalty to those values is a good thing. What happens when those values are ignored? How to we deal with those kinds of challenges to doing what we know, deep down, is right?
I consider myself to be a patriotic person, but I have found myself more and more having to choose between my loyalty to God and my loyalty to America. Growing up in an age when God and Country were almost always spoken about together, I have struggled to justify some of the things my country has done over my lifetime. I have watched with tears as we have done the wrong thing too often, causing needless pain and suffering for more power and wealth. I have also seen our better angels win the day, and those moments have made me proud. I always thought of us as the good guys, and it is heartbreaking when I can’t, in good conscience. say that every day. Maybe my expectations are too high. America, like every other institution, is made up of flawed people who can choose badly or wisely.
None of this means I have lost my love of all the people and institutions I care about, and if I was honest about all of it, I would admit that America has always struggled with doing what is right, just like faith communities. I still love my country, and I still love my church, and I continue to believe that, ultimately, we will do the right thing. For that to happen consistently – and more often – all of us have to remain vigilant. We have to take our noses out of our phones and pay attention. We need to have the courage to speak out and support our ideals, rather than shrug it off as business as usual. Loyalty to the Constitution and the promise of America should come before party and personality. And loyalty to God should guide us to what is right, rather than what is expedient. It isn’t always easy to do the right thing, but it matters.
Prayer – Merciful God, may our love of You and each other lead us to choose wisely and rightly each day. Amen.
Today’s art is “Loyalty – Blue Heart” by Jane See.