“And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” 1 John 2:17
I pledge allegiance to the flag…..
As we listened and spoke these words one day recently, I started to think about what the “Pledge of Allegiance” really says. I looked up its meaning and walked through line by line. I thought about the word allegiance and what it means, “a devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause.1”
What do we pledge our “allegiance” to? Who or what are we vowing our devotion and loyalty to?
What if we pledge our “allegiance” to an organizational mission and that organization makes an immoral choice? What if we pledge our “allegiance” to a person and they begin down a perilous pathway? What if we pledge our allegiance to a country and that country begins to make decisions that put their people or others in danger?
Loyalty and allegiance are admirable traits. I think we all appreciate loyal people in our lives. I know we appreciate the work of men and women who have pledged allegiance to our country and protected us from dark forces around the world. We appreciate people who have pledged allegiance to our families to remain and protect and serve their home.
What is the root of our allegiance is the better question? Why are we choosing what we are allegiant to? Is it to please those around us? Pride? Is it what we have just always done? Is it because of money we are making from it? Is it to avoid a difficult conversation with someone? Is it out of fear?
I have lived enough life now to realize that there is only one thing that does not change.
“I the Lord do not change.” Malachi 3:6
Prior to choosing to walk with the Lord, I pledged allegiance to many things and I believe I was very loyal and faithful. There are so many places to be allegiant, our place of work, the law, our home, people, children, church, doctors and healthcare institutions. It seems impossible to be allegiant to all of these or some of these things?
But God…..
When allegiance to multiple things started to make me miserable, frustrated, worn, I started to seek a different allegiance. One that would provide a roof over everything else in my life. One place to pledge my “allegiance” that would help me be better in everything I did, in Our Father in Heaven.
When I began seeking God, He helped me to order my priorities. He helped me honor people, jobs, home, finances, all circumstances in a way that would look out for the good of all, not just one person, one organization, one church, one project, or one home. It was an allegiance that had lasting impact that would never change or fade or diminish. It would only grow, build, mature, and produce fruits.
“And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” 1 John 2:17
I had a good friend share this quote with me:
“She silently stepped out of the race she never wanted to be in, found her own lane, and proceeded to win.” Unknown
She thought it matched where I was in my life and today I am realizing it is what happened when I began to pledge my “allegiance” to something greater than I had before that will remain when everything else falls apart.
So, today, I hope you will take a moment to answer these for yourself:
What are you “allegiant” to?
Does it match your values at a core, soul level?
Could God be nudging you to trade your allegiances in to Him to help you reorder things?
Standing with you,
Julie
P.S. Today’s image is of my pledge of allegiance to God, the day of my baptism.
Father, Today I Surrender:
My Allegiance
Show me the next step I should take.