Patriot or Pilgrim?

America’s 250th anniversary has not only spawned a wave of patriotism, it has given rise to American Patriots.   They are into all things American.  God bless America, they sing 

Looking back, our 250 year old democracy has plenty to celebrate.  We have experienced the benefit of a balance of power between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.  We have a high GDP, low unemployment, an abundance of natural resources, falling crime rates, a strong military, and lots of freedom. It’s no wonder that people are still trying to immigrate.  They want to be “in it”: the flow of American prosperity. 

Nearly 200 years before the signatures of the 56 which was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 a group of pilgrims came across the Atlantic on a ship called the Mayflower to pursue a specific kind of independence: religious freedom and self-governance.  Unlike the Puritans, who sought to reform the Church of England, the Pilgrims were separatists. They wanted nothing to do with the rituals, teachings, and power structure of the Anglican church and the Catholic church;  which had strayed from the teachings of Jesus and the lifestyle of the first century church.   Persecuted under King James, the pilgrims fled to Holland where they crossed over to America establishing the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.  They crafted and signed the Mayflower compact, an early example of self-governance and democracy.  

The Pilgrims sought to be a part of society yet distinct.  In the words of Jesus they were “in the world, but not of it”.  As we head toward the conclusion of our year of celebration as a nation – the call for believers is to move beyond celebrating the Declaration of Independence as patriots to embracing the faith and practice of the pilgrims.  Jesus expressed the reset this way: 

John 17:14 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.

What does a modern day Pilgrim look like?  Years ago John Fischer wrote a poem:  
“The In’s and Out’s of It”. It is about three Christians—

“In it, not of it,” the statement was made
As Christian One faced the world, much afraid.
“In it, not of it,” the call was made clear,
But Christian One got something stuck in his ear.
“Not in it, or of it” was the thing that he heard.
And knowing the world was painfully absurd,
He welcomed the safety of pious retreat,
And went to the potluck for something to eat.

Now Christian Two, he knew what to do,
He’d show those fundies a thing or two!
How will the world ever give Christ a try
If we don’t get in there and identify?
So “In it, and of it,” he said in his car,
As he pulled in and stopped at a popular bar.
“I’ll tell them the truth, as soon as I’m able
To get myself out from under this table.”

Now along comes Christian Three jogging for Jesus,
In witnessing sweats made of four matching pieces.
His earphones are playing a hot Christian tune
About how the Lord is coming back soon.
“Not in it, but of it,” he turns down the hill
And stops in for a bite at the Agape Grill.
Like the gold on the chain of his “God Loves You” bracelet,
He can have the world without having to face it.

While way up in heaven they lament these conditions
That come from changing a few prepositions.
“Not in it, or of it,” Christian One thought.
But who in the world will know that he’s not?
“In it, and of it,” thought Christian Two.
But who in the world will know that he knew?
“Not in it, but of it,” thought Christian Three.
But who in the world watches Christian TV?
And Jesus turns to Gabriel, shaking His head.
“‘In it, not of it,’ wasn’t that what I said?”

In what way does your life reflect being IN IT – not of it? Celebrate God’s blessing as a patriot, but live as a pilgrim.