Past Commentary by a Common Terry
Happy Birthday, America!
July 5, 2026
I’m going to take a step back from the thread of thoughts I’ve been following the last few weeks in this space. Sometimes it’s good to notice what is going on and see it through God’s eyes, if we can.
The United States of America observed its 250th birthday yesterday. From that first pivotal historic July 4th in 1776 to now, it has been two-hundred fifty years plus a day. That’s a long time. Not nearly as long as a lot of countries, but still, pretty long.
Positive stuff going on right now: celebrations, fireworks (where there aren’t fire bans), parades, patriotic symbols, picnics, family gatherings.
Couple that with the very popular and, to this point, very successful FIFA World Cup soccer tournament hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and things are thumbs up! It’s been impossible to ignore the news stories about so many visitors to the USA for the World Cup who have been surprised by the positives they’ve experienced. (It helps that all three of the host countries’ national teams are still playing, having survived, getting to the round of sixteen while 32 teams are done.)
But there are protests as well. There are voices of disapproval and criticism. Some are excessive. Some, however, make solid points. There are trends and current social behaviors in our country that are very concerning. The political fighting and mudslinging is escalating, especially as we head to midterm elections. It has become a primary trait for some public officials to criticize and condemn. Certainly, it’s not every politician...but it sure feels like it sometimes as the caustic language seems to attract the most news.
It’s a mixed bag, this country we’re in. It can ensure we are able to sleep safely at night while, at the same time, keep us awake with worry and stress. We are grateful to live here. We are worried about where we live. We are blessed in our freedoms. And we see those freedoms often abused for the advancement of ungodly agendas.
What is the solid ground you and I, as believers in and followers of The Way, can stand on with firm footing and feel at peace in a world that is determined to create unrest and steal away as much personal peace as possible? Our belief can be supported by the country we live in as well as threatened by that same nation. We are still able to practice our faith, gather for our fellowship and worship, and proclaim our convictions, while at the same time, society in general is more dismissive of Christianity than at any time in our 250 years (plus a day).
This I know—God never intended the protection of our faith and the stability of our trust in Him to rely on what society, culture, or government does around us, to us, for us, or against us. We stand on the Rock.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)
Jesus was active in God’s plan in the Old Testament. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 10:4 that Moses and the Hebrews, while wandering in the wilderness, “...drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”
Jesus ended his great sermon, The Sermon on the Mount, with the same notion: the person who hears his words and puts them into practice is like a wise man, “...who built his house on the rock.” No matter what came next, that house, “...did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)
Christianity will not rise or fall because of the success or failure of worldly kingdoms and powers. We may be blessed by our country...or we may be in complete opposition to our country. God is above that, controlling all things. Paul was absolutely convinced that there was not a power on this planet that could separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
We celebrate the good in our country. We are blessed to be here in this country at this very moment. But even more expansive is the celebration we have because of the Eternal Kingdom we belong to and truly depend on. Our trust is not in any earthly power. Our trust is Him.
So, happy birthday to the USA! May this country find its way back to the God who loves us.
The United States of America observed its 250th birthday yesterday. From that first pivotal historic July 4th in 1776 to now, it has been two-hundred fifty years plus a day. That’s a long time. Not nearly as long as a lot of countries, but still, pretty long.
Positive stuff going on right now: celebrations, fireworks (where there aren’t fire bans), parades, patriotic symbols, picnics, family gatherings.
Couple that with the very popular and, to this point, very successful FIFA World Cup soccer tournament hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and things are thumbs up! It’s been impossible to ignore the news stories about so many visitors to the USA for the World Cup who have been surprised by the positives they’ve experienced. (It helps that all three of the host countries’ national teams are still playing, having survived, getting to the round of sixteen while 32 teams are done.)
But there are protests as well. There are voices of disapproval and criticism. Some are excessive. Some, however, make solid points. There are trends and current social behaviors in our country that are very concerning. The political fighting and mudslinging is escalating, especially as we head to midterm elections. It has become a primary trait for some public officials to criticize and condemn. Certainly, it’s not every politician...but it sure feels like it sometimes as the caustic language seems to attract the most news.
It’s a mixed bag, this country we’re in. It can ensure we are able to sleep safely at night while, at the same time, keep us awake with worry and stress. We are grateful to live here. We are worried about where we live. We are blessed in our freedoms. And we see those freedoms often abused for the advancement of ungodly agendas.
What is the solid ground you and I, as believers in and followers of The Way, can stand on with firm footing and feel at peace in a world that is determined to create unrest and steal away as much personal peace as possible? Our belief can be supported by the country we live in as well as threatened by that same nation. We are still able to practice our faith, gather for our fellowship and worship, and proclaim our convictions, while at the same time, society in general is more dismissive of Christianity than at any time in our 250 years (plus a day).
This I know—God never intended the protection of our faith and the stability of our trust in Him to rely on what society, culture, or government does around us, to us, for us, or against us. We stand on the Rock.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)
Jesus was active in God’s plan in the Old Testament. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 10:4 that Moses and the Hebrews, while wandering in the wilderness, “...drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”
Jesus ended his great sermon, The Sermon on the Mount, with the same notion: the person who hears his words and puts them into practice is like a wise man, “...who built his house on the rock.” No matter what came next, that house, “...did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)
Christianity will not rise or fall because of the success or failure of worldly kingdoms and powers. We may be blessed by our country...or we may be in complete opposition to our country. God is above that, controlling all things. Paul was absolutely convinced that there was not a power on this planet that could separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
We celebrate the good in our country. We are blessed to be here in this country at this very moment. But even more expansive is the celebration we have because of the Eternal Kingdom we belong to and truly depend on. Our trust is not in any earthly power. Our trust is Him.
So, happy birthday to the USA! May this country find its way back to the God who loves us.