A Prescription for America's Identity Crisis

Imagine the map of the United States of America decked out in red, white & blue and lounging on a long couch as the doctor sits beside taking notes. "Doctor, I'm afraid I'm in a bit of an identity crisis," it said.

While identity crises typically happen for teens, I believe events the last years have landed the United States of America in its own identity crisis.

Identity Crisis (n): A developmental event that involves a person questioning their sense of self or place in this world.

Could we agree that the past years' events have left our country questioning its sense of self and place in this world? 

Quotes from our Founding Fathers clearly show our foundation and identity. Research of Founding Fathers' writings shows they considered God and the Bible an important part of government and that America was founded in partnership with, and under, God.

George Washington, the first President of the United States, is a great example. He once wrote,"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." (bold added)

America's motto, "In God We Trust" reflects this and is our nation's legally declared official identity.  It's time we lean into that.

I recently heard a sermon by Oasis Church Pastor Tim Sheets where he recounted not only the nation's motto, but also each of the 50 states'. The state mottos are included on their official seals which are used on official documents, similar to king's signet rings of earlier days.

Do you know your state's motto?

Do your kids know it?

Have they ever seen your state seal?

Here are a just a few state mottos from this complete list of fifty:

• Arizona - God enriches (1864)
• Colorado - Nothing Without the Deity (1877)
• Connecticut - He Who Transplanted Still Sustains (1788)
• Florida - In God We Trust (1868)
• Ohio - With God All Things are Possible (1959)
• Pennsylvania - Virtue, Liberty, and Independence (1875)
• Rhode Island - Hope
• Texas - Friendship (1930)

In his sermon, Sheets talked of how the state's mottos make a beautiful mosaic of national strength and purpose. 

These main points lead him to a challenge:

1. Followers of Christ are citizens of two realms as they
   1. "are seated together with Christ in the heavenly places" (Eph. 2:6) and yet
   2. also have a legal standing on this earth because we are humans. 
2. Our nation and states have officially adopted  and declared their identities, expressing the heart of each territory through their mottos.
3. The spiritual realm can agree with what the natural government has declared.
4. Believers are, therefore, empowered to make decrees that activate each territory's identity to align with it's legal purpose.

Sheets' challenge: That each believer pray their official motto over their own territory, activating an alignment of the state and nation to it's true identity. 

If there is one thing I know about Mama Bears, they are relentless when it comes to fighting for their cubs. We must rise up now to fight for a God-honoring, blessed America where our kids' can raise their kids.

How can we practically embrace Sheets' challenge to rise up and overcome America's identity crisis? A few ideas:

1. Know your state's motto
   1. Teach it to your children
   2. Write it on a chalkboard or white board in your home along with the nation's motto
   3. Print off your state's seal and post it in your home
2. Pray and decree that your state and nation will realign to their mottos, their official legal identities. "You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established to you," says Job 22:28.
3. Repeat #2 in faith, calling on God to move, until it comes to pass.

 As we pray and decree, I believe we will see a transformation. No longer will that anxiety-ridden country be laying on a couch talking to a doctor. It will be standing tall and firm with a red, white and blue flag in its hand, saying, "In God we trust."