True Patriotism

Pictures of Patriotism

American patriotism brings to mind many different things: our flag, the beauty of our country, the opportunities we’re given, the different people who call this country home, its founding, the good (bad) of our history, strong leaders, and those who fought and died for our country. What do you think of when you hear the word patriotism?

What is Patriotism?

But what even is patriotism? Merriam-Webster dictionary defines patriotism as “a love or devotion for one’s country.” George William Curtis describes patriotism this way, “A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.”

How Can We Show Patriotism?

Patriotism can be shown in many ways. Here are a few: flying our flag, respecting members of our armed forces, encouraging other citizens, supporting organizations that care about America and are working to protect our freedoms, accepting our history and learning from it. What are some ways you show patriotism?

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Loving our country is important, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t corrupt things about it. Patriotism isn’t just being proud of our country; it involves making it better each day. This can be challenging but is also very rewarding. God calls us to take care of the country he has given us.

Those Who Gave It All

My favorite lyrics from the song, “America the Beautiful,” are as follows: “O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life!”

Countless people have died for our freedoms, and many never saw the results of their sacrifice. These people weren’t just proud of America, they cared deeply about the cause of freedom so much that they gave their lives for it.

What Can We Do?

Striving for the cause of freedom isn’t just a job for soldiers, it’s a job for ordinary citizens like you and I who are willing to serve their country. That reminds me of John F. Kennedy’s famous words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” This is a key principle of Christianity. Philippians 2:4 states, “Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.”

This is the essence of what patriotism is. John F. Kennedy didn’t come up with these words on his own, they came straight from the Bible!

Conclusion

George S. Patton once remarked, “Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.”  

We should be patriotic because it’s our attitude that changes things. It’s hard to stand for something we don’t care about. What then should we say when someone asks why we’re proud of America despite its flaws? Try this: “I’m more than proud, I’m a patriotic citizen who’s willing to stand for our country’s founding principles no matter what others think.”