When we drove home from our daughter’s house following France’s World Cup win, we were surprised to see a number of French flags being displayed. I had no idea there were so many soccer fans and France supporters in our area. Flags certainly are indicative of people’s affections. In our former neighborhood, we had a family who were ardent Nebraska fans, and another who were CU supporters. We chuckled as they flew their competitive flags around football game time. In our new neighborhood, a Kansas state fan proudly displays her colors. In addition, as a passionate patriot, it always does my heart good to see numerous US flags flying around national holidays.
Deuteronomy 6 tells us to display a different kind of colors. We are advised to write God’s commandments on our doorframes and gates and tie them as symbols on our hands and foreheads. Do people know what we support? We might not be flying flags, but our actions speak loudly to those around us. Are we yelling colorful language when someone cuts us off on the roadways? Are we mouthing off in worry and anger when things don’t go our way? Do we become disheveled when we get devastating news? Do we criticize, gossip, and judge? Or, are we living an upright life of following Jesus’ commands and trusting Him, flying His colors for the world to see.
Deuteronomy 11 says that we should impress God’s commandments on our children, talking about them along the way, when we walk, sit down, rise up or lay down. Talking is one thing, but our true colors show by our actions. What do our children see? What do our grandchildren see? What do the youth of our church see in the adult culture? Although we can have an impact on “our” church kids by volunteering, we also have an impact by the way we act. I was saddened to hear of a family who quit coming to church because of unkind words they overheard. Let our actions show our true affections. Fly your colors proudly as Christ-followers.
”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” (Deuteronomy 6: 5, 6)