What America Needs

Going into Springfield, Tennessee, from the south on Highway 41, you will pass Gupton Motors on the right. Just past the dealership is an empty lot. There are several trees in that vacant lot. Close to the sidewalk is a half sheet of plywood painted white with three red all-caps words, “AMERICA NEEDS GOD.”

The sign has been there for several months, maybe even a year. Recently I have noticed that someone has adorned the sign down each side with artificial flowers. Unfortunately, the flowers’ bright colors have become washed out in the few weeks since they appeared.

The sign is difficult to miss. And even more difficult for me not to think about. Upon reading the sign the first time, I was thrilled and agreed heartedly with the admonition. 

Before I get to a few theological musings, consider the implication of just the first word, America.

I did a search for the definition of “America.” Yes, America needs God, both North and South. But in particular, it is my passion that the United States part of America needs God. I got a bunch of hits. But none of them actually gave a definition of the word itself. The responses all gave two “definitions.” They each began by saying the word is synonymous with the United States. Nothing was given as to the word’s origin. 

I am sure somewhere in my formal education, I was told, but I sure didn’t remember. So, just in case you are the same, here is the American scoop. The word is a variation of the first name of Amerigo Vespucci. Amerigo was an Italian who sailed under the flags of Spain and Prochago. In 1501 he sailed his ship to the east coast of the New World. He kept a journal describing what he saw. Upon return to Europe, he was instrumental in educating the “Old World” to the extent that all were convinced that the geographical discovery was definitely not part of Asia. So, to honor his exploration of the New World, it was given his first name.

The United States is not “America.” America is the collective name of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere. Therefore, the United States is a part of America. I know it is easier to refer to our nation as “America,” but we need to keep in mind the larger picture. We cannot let the other countries of our hemisphere think we consider them less than Americans. Nor can we send a signal that citizens of our nation are arrogant in considering our neighboring American nations are in some way less than us.

There is another part of the traditional definition of “America.” The word refers to the “United States,” but it also refers to a way of life, our way of life. Here we can get into trouble. When we say “America needs God,” are we saying, “America needs to know and understand God just as I know and understand God?” Whose description or identity of God will we use? The way I understood God twenty years ago is not the same as my understanding today. Both were born out of the same Bible. As I continue to explore the Word, I am confident that my knowledge of God will expand and deepen even more in ten years. 

Yes, America needs God, both North and South. But in particular, it is my passion that the United States part of America needs God. 

The United States does not need my version of God. They, we, need God himself. This is the only way our cultural lifestyle will change from what it is to what God intended. That new lifestyle may resemble my conservative evangelical version of Christianity but probably not much.

As I understand it, the truth is that the Americas already have God, along with the rest of the world. He is already present. There is no part of the world where God isn’t. He created it and continues to cultivate that creation. So, the problem is not the absence of God but ignoring Him. And when we do pay attention, we are prone to reconstitute God into our own image.

What America, or the world, needs is not the actual quest. The need is individual. Each individual of America needs God. Governments don’t need God; people need God. Governments reflect what individuals have. To get more precise, America needs Jesus.  Having God without having Jesus does not change anything.

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16 CSV)