I am writing this in the early morning of July 4.
It’s the day we, in the United States, celebrate our freedom and the birth of our independence.
Yet, this day is not without a current controversy about a symbol of that independence: the Betsy Ross flag.
If you are unaware of the argument, rather than recite it, I will let you Google it and form your own opinion.
However, I will speak about today’s culture that, many times, looks through a biased personal lens and is then offended at what was viewed. The personal offense then becomes so enormous that it feels the need to yoke others with that same predisposition through political correctness.
Then the war of words ensues—and gets bloody in its context as internal passions are stoked into outright rage.
Rage then gathers itself together into mobs who then work to make their point. Statues come down, symbols are redefined, and a founding father’s birthday is ignored.
Yet, amid this irrationality disguised as political correctness, in the eye of the storm of a culture wrought with anger, peace can be found.
It is a peace found in His Name,
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NASB).
Peace was how Jesus was introduced into this world through angelic herald,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14 KJV).
And peace is His end game,
“And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:17-18 ESV).
Between the two, R. A. Ironside said it well,
“Meantime, having made peace by the blood of His Cross, all who put their trust in Him have peace with GOD; and as we learn to commit all that would naturally trouble or distress to GOD in prayer, peace fills our hearts and controls our lives.”[1]
