Lyric For The Day 10.12.12 from A King and a Kingdom by Derek Webb

“but nothing unifies like a common enemy

and we've got one, sure as hell

but he may be living in your house

he may be raising up your kids

he may be sleeping with your wife

oh no, he may not look like you think

my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man

my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood

it's to a king & a kingdom”

-      From King and a Kingdom by Derek Webb

Flags play an important role in our society. The differentiate nations. They are symbols of nationhood. Living in Northern Ireland I have the privilege at times to cheer under two flags. When Jessica Ennis or those other gold medalled Olympians lit up the past summer we were
emotional as the Union Jack was raised and a life’s work was given its reward. I also cheered loudly as the Irish Tri-colour was raised for Katie Taylor’s amazing feat in women’s boxing. As I said then, 29 gold medals for Britain, 1 for Ireland and therefore 30 for those of us in the middle of the Venn Diagram between the two! Sadly, as I have written before there are also times in the middle of that Venn Diagram when I feel I am torn between two countries with no flag to fly, embarrassed by the actions that go on in the name of either flag.

In the end flags are not what defines the follower of Jesus. Ours is another King and another Kingdom. Those things that define me as
a Christian are my baptism, symbol of an old life gone and a new one coming in, and Communion, when God in his graces invites us to an intimate feast in an re-enactment of Jesus last supper with his disciples. These are the flags that have my allegiance. These are the symbols that define me.

Derek Webb’s Mockingbird album was released when America was in the intensity of patriotism after 9/11 had shaken the nation’s
security and the government were going to war in response. Derek Webb was a prophetic voice who brought a radical Biblical critique of the national fervour. It was not stocked in many Bible Book shops as a result.

In the week that has been in Northern Ireland, Derek’s words in this song are a reminder to those of us following Jesus of the place
that flags should have in our order of essentials. We don’t have any flags in our Church. There are times when indeed flags can take an importance that elevates temporal national allegiance onto equal terms with the eternal Kingdom that Jesus asked us to pray would come n earth as it is in heaven. There will be no Irish or British flag flying above the gates of heaven. It is a good time in Northrn Ireland for all followers of Jesus to cut to the marrow of our souls. Where is the strength of our commitments pointing? Where is the enemy
really? Who has our allegiance?  

Comments

[Gary Bradley]

Been in that Venn diagram for over 20 years and glad to be there. God is eternal. Don't need no flags that fray and wisp away in the breeze. I love this wee island and it's people. It's God's creation. I'm glad to share the space with others who have the heart, mind and soul to see a better vision. Thanks Steve.