We have many symbols to define our ancestors on the genealogy websites. Most people are familiar with the flags of different countries and coats of arms to represent the family crest, but there are other symbols as well. There are pictures of immigrant ships to signify an ancestor was an immigrant and symbols that represent sons and daughters of the American Revolution for those whose ancestors fought for America’s independence and even symbols to show which side your relative fought for during the civil war.
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Do we need all these symbols? It seems human nature to define ourselves by our favorite sports teams or alma mater. Sometimes we even flaunt our favorite entertainment or politics on Facebook. Maybe we like symbols because they remind us we are not alone, but part of a larger community.
For many Christians the most important symbols are the cross and the Bible, but what happens when these treasured symbols are used by other Christians to reject and divide? What is the worth of a symbol if it ostracized the very people who need it the most?
Unlike the Daughters of the American Revolution or The Sons of Norway, the Christian church cannot afford to be exclusive. Exclusivity goes against everything the cross stands for. Because we don’t live in a simple world; we have many interpretations of the Bible and the people who claim the Bible as their symbol often have completely different lifestyles from each other.
It’s great to share our point of view but what if we listened as well as shared. As social media spreads to our friends and neighbors, people are starting to polarize. We like to join groups where everyone thinks just like we do. We want to take the world by storm with our personal take on God, but while it’s good to share authentically, how many of us take a moment to consider what kind of flag we are flying for Jesus? Is it the flag of an exclusive club where people need to eat, talk, dress and think exactly like we do? Or will we dare to throw the doors open and accept those who are not like us?
Jesus shared his opinions freely, but every statement he made supported one goal– to reveal God’s love to our skeptical hearts. Every flag Jesus flew had one purpose–to set us free with God’s love.
Now this is eternal life:
that they know you,
the only true God,
and Jesus Christ,
whom you have sent.
-John 17:3
I have made you known to them,
and will continue to make you known
in order that the love you have for me
may be in them
and that I myself may be in them.
-John 17:26
What kind of flag are you flying?
Exactly, had a friend who read Pagan Christianity (full of symbolic nonesense) and he stopped going to church for the last 3 years. Jesus, I pray that your flag flies in my life and keeps flying!
Yes, this is the essence of what it means to be a Christian. what do we stand for? What do we promote?
I’ve long been fond of Tibetan prayer flags, starting four or five decades ago with photos in Buddhist and travel books and magazines. As my own spiritual path emerged, I began to look at these as reminders to pray or at least look up. And then they became widely available in local retail stores. What I’m finding these days is that they remind me that the wind is active and coming from all directions — harbingers of weather changes, in fact.
Then someone gave me a set that was blank, with an invitation to inscribe my own selected mottoes. I turned to James Nayler, and it’s great. I look up and see, for instance, “TO ALL TRUE HEARTS.” Now there’s a reminder!
So maybe there are opportunities for flags that aren’t barriers along ethnic and nationalistic lines. The flag of Earth seen from space, for one.
Meanwhile, I just looked down the street and saw the usual Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins flags. Guess that identifies my location.
Hi Jnana, I’ve always enjoyed the colors of Tibetan prayer flags although I have never understood what they are for. I believe that anything that reminds us to think of God and pray can be good. You speak of “flags that aren’t barriers along ethnic and nationalistic lines” to that I give a hearty, “Yes!” And I love the phrase “To all true hearts!” Thank you for sharing!