The Great American Melting Pot
“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:11-13
In the 1970s when I was a kid, there was a concerted push for unity in the United States of America. In between Saturday morning cartoons, Schoolhouse Rock sang, "The Great American Melting Pot" reminding us all that we were immigrants in this land. It was our common bond. The elementary school I attended in Houston was a hodge podge of ethnic backgrounds, and all longed to unite as Americans. We said the prayer and pledge each morning in school, and we were grateful--yes, grateful for the opportunities we had been given in this great land. Our parents taught us the value of hard work in a free enterprise system of government.
There was no Bilingual Education or English as a Second Language back then. Everyone learned the language of their new homeland. Coca-Cola wanted to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. Our church youth group even substituted "He" and "Christ" for "it" and "Coke" as we sang the song. It made us all want to grow apple trees and honey bees together, and our church grew so much that we had to add another building to make room for everyone.
Things are much different now.
In the 1970s when I was a kid, there was a concerted push for unity in the United States of America. In between Saturday morning cartoons, Schoolhouse Rock sang, "The Great American Melting Pot" reminding us all that we were immigrants in this land. It was our common bond. The elementary school I attended in Houston was a hodge podge of ethnic backgrounds, and all longed to unite as Americans. We said the prayer and pledge each morning in school, and we were grateful--yes, grateful for the opportunities we had been given in this great land. Our parents taught us the value of hard work in a free enterprise system of government.
There was no Bilingual Education or English as a Second Language back then. Everyone learned the language of their new homeland. Coca-Cola wanted to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. Our church youth group even substituted "He" and "Christ" for "it" and "Coke" as we sang the song. It made us all want to grow apple trees and honey bees together, and our church grew so much that we had to add another building to make room for everyone.
Things are much different now.
No longer do schools require immigrants to learn the English language. We cater to many languages. Our lives of hard work, sharing, sacrifice, gratitude, character, and integrity have been replaced with ingratitude, laziness, selfishness, entitlement, entertainment, and greed. And most important of all, we have allowed God, the One True and Living God--the very foundation of America--to be removed from our schools, our courthouses, even many churches.
In John 17, Jesus prayed fervently--not for everyone, but for all of His followers--both then and now. He prayed that we would be kept in His name, and that we would be one, just as He and the Father are one.
It's not too late. If you are a follower of Jesus, you can pray as Jesus did in John 17. Will you join me in this powerful prayer?
One day, America will be a melting pot of a different sort. As Christians, it's our duty to share God's truth, His love with others, and to be one.
If you don't know Him, this link can help you understand what it means to follow Him.
Goodnight, Runners.
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