"America, America"

America, America,

Where do you want to go?

When I try to hear your answer,

I do not really know.

Some cry out for entitlement,

What they think to them is owed,

And never will be satisfied,

Till their payments are bestowed.

Loud voices say they have the right,

Females their bodies own,

And the life inside them,

Is just a fetus grown.

But they say they can kill it,

It is their right to choose,

Though medicine and scripture,

Say that’s a life to lose.

Some hate all authority,

Their rebellious anger deep,

And only think of what they want,

And not what they will reap.

Some disregard the dignity,

And disrespect the flag,

And even burn it on the ground,

Like some old dirty rag.

Living for endless pleasure,

Worship what entertains,

Selfishness running amok,

And addictions bind with chains.

America, American,

Where do you want to go,

When I try to hear your answer,

I do not really know.

Is it possible that God above,

Still has a plan for you,

Based on what the Good Book says,

‘Bout what is and isn’t true.

A seeking of morality,

And love for neighbor sweet,

With respect for everyone,

And all whom we might meet.

No matter color of the skin,

Or how different we may be,

We can learn to live together,

I believe it, don’t you see.

But I don’t think we can vote it in,

So that means we should pray,

Call on God to help us,

And let it start today.

To realize the Savior,

Bought us with a price,

On the cross His blood was shed,

And here is His advice.

That when God conquers ego,

We’ll learn to love again,

Our country can be stronger,

That it has ever been.

America, America,

Where do you want to go?

I pray we turn to Christ the Lord,

He’ll help us, this I know.

“For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20, NAS)

The death of Jesus on the cross is described in many ways in scripture. One way it is explained is in terms of paying off our sinful debt and buying us back from the one who controlled us. Since this is the reality, our bodies and lives belong entirely to Him. We do not have the right to do anything with our bodies except what He leads us to do. We have relinquished all our “rights” because He bought us and is the Lord of our lives. So many of society’s ills revolves around what people demand to do with their bodies. But the bottom line is that all of us have been bought with a price. We are called to glorify Him.

Lord, teach us what it means to glorify You with our bodies, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Clark Kelley Price, used by permission. Thanks, and God bless you.