I Pledge Allegiance

There’s more that rises in the morning
Than the sun
More that shines in the night
Than just the moon
There’s more than just this fire here
That keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger
Than this room
There’s a loyalty that’s deeper
Than mere sentiment
A music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the giver
Of all good things

(Rich Mullins – If I Stand)

I Pledge Allegiance

The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the give of all good things.

Yes. This.

Distracted, concerned, overwhelmed, or frustrated – I have seen my friends and family experience just these things in recent days. Truth be told, I have been there too.

I look at the world where I live and am appalled by the atrocities of what people can do to each other through word and deed. I hurt for victims that cannot defend themselves. I struggle in the world where I live wondering if I even fit here and what my purpose might be.

It’s the stuff of earth.

Tempted to see only what is in front of me, my allegiance starts to settle on my own abilities, the powers that seem “more right,” ideas like “good always wins,” or a myriad of other crutches I use to hobble along.

Crippled, broken, unqualified – all words I could use to describe myself . . . but for the grace of God.

It’s where we all are without our Savior. My allegiance should be to Him and Him alone.

I pledge allegiance, I make an oath, to pursue Him above all else, to follow Him regardless of where it takes me, to trust Him even when I can’t see the next step, to stand on the hope and the promises He gives. The day I accepted Him as my Savior I promised to do just this. He becomes Lord . . . and so much more.

So today, when I am tempted to get caught up in what I see and falter in my allegiance to the One, I will remember that there’s more that rises in the morning than the sun and shines in the night than the moon. I will choose to stand not on what I see or feel but on the promises of His Word.

I will pledge allegiance to Him alone.

 

Join me:

1. Pursue Him:

“But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12)

These words from Paul to Timothy are just as challenging to us. Pursue Him above all else. How do we do that daily? Moment by moment? We must build a relationship with Him. Spend time with Him. Are we doing that today?

2. Follow Him:

“Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”” (John 8:12)

HE is the light. Follow Him wherever He leads. He has certainly taken me places I could have never dreamed, some more challenging than others. We must learn to follow Him regardless of where He leads.

3. Trust Him:

“Those who know Your name trust in You because You have not abandoned those who seek You, Yahweh.”(Psalm 9:10)

We must trust in Him alone. I love this promise that He has not abandoned those who seek Him. How thankful I am that regardless of my circumstance or situation, He is faithful. Trust is an “all in” kind of thing. It is not a half-hearted attempt, but a desire to give ourselves completely to His care.

4. Stand with Him:

“Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.”(Ephesians 4:1)

Walk worthy, my friends. We serve an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present God, may we live like we do.

Today, I pledge allegiance to the One.

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Regardless of what is going on around me or the feelings I have in my heart. HE is life. HE is truth. I challenge us all today to go back to Him, to pursue, follow, trust, and stand with Him today.