Today is Super Bowl Sunday in the US.

People watch the game for a variety of reasons. 

• Love of the game
• Legendary commercials
• Overindulge in food & drink
• Camaraderie

BUT…

What I want to talk about is how the game starts. I’m talking about our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. The lyrics are from a poem by Francis Scott Key.

Over the last few years, there has been much controversy surrounding proper behavior when the song is preformed. I’m not going to get into that here.

For those outside of the US, I have included the lyrics below.

O say, can you see
By the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hail’d
At the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars
Through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watch’d
Were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free
And the home of the brave?

In my minds eye, I see “Old Glory” flying over a stronghold as a fierce battle rages through the night. As the sun emerges over the horizon, it is evident that the fort sustained damage but the victory is ours. The “Stars and Stripes” may be tattered and torn but she’s still waving proudly in the morning breeze.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. If you are struggling with sin or spiritual warfare, rest assured that your Heavenly Father is just a prayer away. He delights in bringing His children out of the darkness and into the light.

Is it time to surrender your mess? Are you willing to do the work that the Holy Spirit has whispered in your ear?

OR

Are you going to stubbornly keep fighting a battle that was already won at the foot of the cross?

Yes, there are battle scars that may never leave you. Each rip, tear and bullet hole in a tattered flag can be likened to past sins, tragedies, and spiritual warfare we have experienced.

A tattered flag still flys.

A shattered life can be healed.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4 NIV

I was privileged to chaperone this “field trip” Both my son & daughter were part of the Crystal Lake South High School Choirs who sang the national anthem at the Chicago White Sox Game (April 2014).

#Tattered #Write28Days #Write28Days2022 #W28D #BGBG2 #BibleGatewayPartner