YES WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY!
YES, WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY.
Today I will write to you as a Norwegian, but the ideas I write about are relevant for all countries no matter where you live. The headline is taken from the first words in our Norwegian national anthem. How often do we use the word love? We might use it for our partner and our children, but how often do we use it when it comes to our country? I love our national anthem, and I might be moved to tears when I hear it. I believe that I have many good memories from the celebration of our National Day, the 17th of May.
If you know me, you know that I would like to prove my points from a Biblical point of view. I will therefore start by referring to Exodus 20:12. There we read that we should honour our mother and father so that the days may be long upon the land which God has given you. I do know that some people have some difficulties with their parents and they need to forgive them maybe many times, but you can always thank God that they have given you life. You should also ask God for advice. How much contact should you have and how should you talk about them? I find it interesting that this saying has to do with your living in your country.
Norway was occupied by the Germans for five years during the second world war. Many Norwegians were killed and many lived under pressure and a lot of fear. One had a lot of restrictions when it came to buying food. When my mother was pregnant with me, they lived close to the harbour and there was an explosion. Shell sprinters went through their apartment, and my mother got a wall over her back. She protected me and my sister. She is dead many years ago, but this is something to honour her for. They had to move from this apartment.
When the war was over the 7th of May 1945, people ran out on the streets and my mother shouted so much out of joy that she got a pneumonia. The freedom was overwhelming. I have lived in Sweden for many years now and now I also pray for Sweden since that is where I live. Many Swedes do not understand why we Norwegians celebrate our national day the way we do. Some are ridiculing us for it. Sweden wasn’t occupied during the second world war and therefore do not have the same experiences of war. I am very conscious of the fact that I am a citizen of heaven and a fellow citizen of the entire world, but on the 17th of May I am very Norwegian and very emotional. Some people in other countries think that 17th of May is a day for too much drinking, but that is far from the truth. There are always some people drinking too much, but the focus is not on that. Every school is gathering in the morning with speeches and music. The children walk in a parade with nice clothes and their flags. I am happy that both Norway and Sweden have the cross in their flags. In Oslo every school passes the castle where the royal family greet the children. Every school has their own music band, and they play at hospitals and old people’s homes. After the parade, there will be some kind of arrangement at the school with games and selling of hotdogs and ice-cream. In the evening you celebrate with family and friends.
I have asked the Lord how He thinks about a healthy nationalism? He wants that every country should have clear borders and He wants us to love our country and pray for it. That doesn’t mean that we should hate other countries, but if we do not love our country, we would not be willing to fight for it. I have seen how people in Ukraine are willing to die for their country.
In 1. Timothy 2:2 we read that we should pray for kings and everybody in leading positions. That would help us to live a peaceful life in goodness and reverence. I do not believe that we pray enough for the leaders of our country. We might pray for ourselves but let us pray more for those in high positions. I have been reading in the Old Testament how our way of living influences God in giving blessings. If we have ungodly laws, we open up for curses over the country. Abortion is such an example. Millions of children are killed and that opens up for death. I know that there are some tragedies for some mothers, but I am mainly talking about the laws.
Many Swedes hesitate to celebrate their national day in fear of hurting the foreigners. Those coming from another country have fled that country hoping for a better future here. How will they think when the Swedes refuse to celebrate what they have?
In our Nordic countries we are allowed to vote for leaders both locally and for the entire nation. Many are unfortunately sitting at home and leave those decisions to others. Do they have a right to criticize then? In most countries they would get help to vote. If everybody was voting, our country would look differently and hopefully better.
Many are saying that Christians shouldn’t involve themselves in politic. Is it better to leave that to the ungodly? I do not think so. We really need strong, brave Christians who stand up for Christian values. They must dare to stand up for truth and not compromise with popularity. If you have a need to be liked by everyone, you should not become a politician.
LOVE YOUR COUNTRY, PRAY FOR IT AND HAVE A POSITIV INFLUENCE ON IT!
Mother Else
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