To a Progressive Christian, What Is the 4th of July?
Empire, Fireworks, and BBQs
The 4th of July represents many things to many people.
To many Americans, it’s an excuse to have BBQs, drink a lot of beer, soda, or tea, and shoot or watch fireworks. It’s a day for family, friends, and fun. And on some level, they acknowledge the brave, heroic people who made all this prosperity possible.
To many others, it reminds us of the forming of American Empire. It confronts us with our history of genocide, slavery, colonialism, imperialism, systemic racism, systemic sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and probably a few other “-isms” and phobias.
The first year of Trump 2.0 makes things feel even more uncertain and oppressive.
We heard Trump campaign on mass deportations, and we heard his supporters scoff and say he wouldn’t really do it. Now we’re in the midst of an ever-expanding drag net sweeping up undocumented immigrants and people with student visas.
We heard Trump promise a “Big, Beautiful Bill,” and yesterday, the Senate passed a version the House will likely approve that cuts Medicaid, SNAP, renewable energy tax credits, and more social safety net in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.
Did I mention Gaza? Ukraine?
Given all this, I encourage everyone to focus on the fireworks and BBQ part of the 4th of July. It’s easy to fall into the trap of being perpetually outraged, of thinking you must constantly point out the terrible.
But rest is also resistance. Self-care prevents burnout. Checking out lets the mind and soul recuperate. Doing nothing is doing something.
So, Happy 4th!
Yes! “The less I do, the more You can do through me” is a lyric in a song I know. Rest, rest, rest, knowing the deepest, most wonderful truth there is: All is well. All will be well. How do I know this? Because I know that everything has already been completed….we are just experiencing another balancing of the Universe and learning to honor the slow work of God, Who never fails, as He gathers all Her chicks, once again, under Her wings:).