“… you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household…” (Ephesians 2:19)

This week the citizens of the USA celebrated Flag Day – the day that remembers June 14, 1777, when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution on adopting a flag for the USA.

I am a guest in this beautiful country, and enjoyed seeing the flags on our streets. It reminded me of my home country, South Africa, which established a new constitution and adopted a new flag in 1994.

I also remember an earlier time when South Africa was a country under a state of emergency, ruled by military lockdown. At that time many South African people wore the flag of the USA (on T shirts, or on HI Top sneakers), because it symbolized a democratic ideal.

But here’s a thought: St. Paul invites us to fly another flag over our lives. In Ephesians 2:19 and Philippians 3:20 he reminds us that we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. 

This is something that transcends nationality, class and culture. St Paul invites us to discover that we all belong together as children of God. 

I am inviting us to fly our flags joyfully, but at the same time to remember that there is a greater call on our lives than a national flag: the call to live as a citizen of the household of God. 

This sets us free to love and serve all others who inhabit this planet with us.