The Forgotten Coach, God’s Role in Healing a Divided Nation

The United States. Why do we call ourselves that? What does it mean to be united? Why do people unite? They unite because of a common belief, held to be true and right. Our country can’t seem to agree on anything anymore. Why? Well, we can’t clearly define what we believe in. I often find myself asking, “How did we become the United States of America?” Growing up, I learned about “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” But we are farther from that today than ever in 200 years. We’ve forgotten who we are, our beliefs, and the values that once defined us. We’ve forgotten the joy of our freedom, what it cost to get here, and what made the United States a desirable nation to the rest of the world. We have NOT forgotten about our precious inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but we’ve easily tossed the Creator of those rights to the wayside, the One who endowed them to us in the first place! Before we can restore what has been lost in our country, we must revisit what it means to be “under God.”

Today, America resembles a sports team without a coach. Without a coach, there would be no shared culture, vision, values, or standards. This situation would likely lead to disputes about playing time, decision-making, and handling tough calls. After a defeat or loss, who would strategize the game plan and motivate the team for future success? I believe every team needs a leader to provide direction, guidance, and perspective from outside the immediate action. No team has ever won a championship without a coach.

God, as our Coach, is in charge. God desires for every one of us to be a part of his team! As players on His team, we must trust His authority. We did not choose to be a part of this world, but God wanted us all to play a special part in His creation whether you believe in Him or not. Tim Tebow echoes this by having said, “We were created by someone and for something.” In fact, Colossians 1:16 says, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Unfortunately, we live in a world now that thinks they are God, that they are the center of the world. They think they can define what is right and wrong, yet they don’t consider God’s Eternal Truth.

Many people today live according to their own truth, which may change daily or even with their mood, and this tendency is widely supported by those around them. But really, this world isn’t about us. When we start to believe we are at the center, that we are godlike, we are left with rebellious people who lack discipline or respect, who fear no authority above themselves. When we fear no national authority or police or parents or God Himself, that means we live UNDER NOTHING: Under no standard, under no truth that we can all agree and unite on. How do we expect to live in unity, with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, when we all play the game of life by different definitions of truth?

So, what is truth? That’s the infamous question theologians and philosophers have debated for centuries. I believe truth is not a what but a Who. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. His word is the Truth. The Bible is the Truth, the same Book on which America was built. Throughout American history, there have been ongoing efforts to integrate Christian truth into society, leading to significant reforms such as the abolition of slavery and the improvement of women’s rights. It’s interesting to note that the phrase “under God” was not originally part of the Pledge of Allegiance. It was added in 1952 at the direction of Dwight D. Eisenhower, and two years later, “IN GOD WE TRUST” was declared the national motto of the United States. It’s no coincidence that the 1950s were considered America’s Golden Age, marked by a boom of unity and a hope for a better future.

In contrast, America today is marked by disunity and hopelessness. This stems from the gradual unweaving of the Christian tapestry this nation has knit over the past two centuries. Christian morality has always been the backbone of American society and law. The unraveling of the Christian ethic has given rise to heated disputes about what’s the correct truth regarding same-sex marriage, abortion, gender identity, and the role of religion in public life. Just watch the daily news and witness the animosity and division! I think the last time I saw America united was during 9/11 when love for country and neighbor rallied in response to such a vicious attack against us.

So, why is our country no longer United? Because our eyes are off of God. Off of our Creator and Coach. We need to remember who is ultimately in charge. We have forgotten that we are not God, that we are not definers of right and wrong. We need to remember the truth our nation has always strived to stand on. We have forgotten God completely in our hearts, minds, and souls. Without Him in our daily lives, there will never be true unity among people. Unity happens when truths align. If we are to become the UNITED States again, characterized by love for our country and neighbors, we must embrace living “under God” again. Let’s get our eyes back on Jesus.