Widespread protests have erupted in Cuba as people are fighting for freedom and many are desiring an “American democratic way of life”. The great irony is that we have many people in America enmeshed in an outrage culture, identity politics, and the victimhood ideology that it elevates. If America is so bad, why do so many people want to come to this nation (take a look at the southern border)?

America has her share of faults, but America has also been a beacon of hope in this challenging world. I have had the opportunity to visit many different countries and to live overseas for extended periods of time. Our aspirational values declare that we are a nation founded on freedom:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Marxist ideology seeks to usher in a classless utopia; however, it has never worked. Utopian dreams always fall short. Jesus told us that the poor will always be with us. We have a responsility to help those in need, but we must not conflate earth with heaven. The Apostle Paul gave us this perspective:

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

As Americans we have a tendency to take for granted all that we have in our country – take some time and reflect upon the freedoms you have, even the right to conduct a peaceful protest. When I was in the military I was saddened by those who denigrated our nation and all that it stood for, but I also defended your right to protest.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5