“American the Beautiful” Verse 2
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress,
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
Dear God, we sang this song in church yesterday (I suppose you have to throw in one patriotic song with a God slant on the day before the 4th of July). I noticed the last three lines of the second verse. I thought each of them might be worthy of a little time this morning as I pray to you and worship you through prayer.
God mend thine every flaw
It’s refreshing to feel like we can say out loud that something we love–something we are proud of–is flawed. I guess I feel like everyone has gotten so inside their own agendas that it’s hard for us to admit there is a flaw in them. A Democrat might be unwilling to examine President Biden’s flaws. A Republican might feel the same way about Donald Trump. But it goes beyond that. Church’s sweep issues under the rug (abusive leadership, a range of inappropriate sexual conduct, etc.) because they cannot admit their flaws. Families compensate for one family member who might engage in destructive patters such as violence, anger, manipulation or substance abuse. I say all of this to say that it kind of goes back to the old saying that “admitting you have a problem is the first step.” Until we recognize our issues, discuss them, and repent of them to you and to each other we will not make any progress. In fact, we will just go deeper down the rabbit hole.
Confirm thy soul in self control
Now, I’m not sure this one holds up theologically, but I can at least appreciate the idea that there comes a time when we just need to reign ourselves in and submit ourselves to you. Galatians 5:13 says, “…our freedom is not intended to cause us to sin, but rather to love God and one another, to be humble, and to serve.” I guess this is what confirming our soul in self control.
Thy liberty in law!
This holds up with the last part. We submit ourselves to the laws of our community for the good of each other. Then we work together to make the laws. Lately this has been very controversial. Abortion is probably the best example of different groups opposing each other on a law. But there are certainly other laws upon which we can all agree. When done at its best–when we have repented and you have mended our flaws–you are able to help us experience an unusual liberty that is quite unique to our society.
Father, I’ve been listening a lot lately to the stories in 2 Kings and both books of Chronicles about the myriad of kings that came and went in both Israel and Judah (the south and the north). Even the good ones had some fatal flaws. I know I have fatal flaws as well. I am sorry for that. I can’t help but wonder if I have watered down your justice and holiness too much. Have I lowered the bar of your expectations too low? I don’t know, but I know I love you and I know I’m trying to get this right. Help me to get this right. Mend my every flaw. Show me who you need me to be for the sake of your kingdom, those I love, and those to whom you have sent me to love.
In Jesus’s name I pray,
Amen
Emails to God 