Reflecting on Canada Day and the Fourth of July

As I write this, it’s early July and we’ve just marked another couple of national holidays in North America. In light of this, I thought I would reflect on the recent commemorations of Canada Day on July 1 (159 years since confederation) and Independence Day on July 4 (250 years of independence).

I didn’t think it would be this hard. A silver linings sort of person, I tend to see both positives and negatives, but generally focus on the positives. Seen through this lens, there is much to appreciate about both countries. There is also some shadow to lament.

I’m Canadian, and proud to be so. Many others also consider themselves blessed to call Canada home. A lot of Americans love their country as well. In both countries we can appreciate the natural beauty and abundance of the land; the generally reliable infrastructure; the stable government; relative freedom, law, and order; and a tendency toward welcoming people and extending hospitality.

But that hospitality, admittedly, is not always extended equally. The abundance is not always fairly distributed. Access to beautiful places is not always equal. Infrastructure isn’t always equally maintained in different areas. While we have regular elections that result in actual changes of leadership, and military coups aren’t really a concern, we can’t agree at all on who should lead the government. The parts of the continent that still seem to show God’s fresh creation fingerprints – soaring mountains, sweeping plains, craggy coasts, sunlit beaches, unforgiving wilderness, fertile hills – astonish and inspire us with their beauty. The man-made elements are more complicated. 

I hope that as you marked another year of your country’s history last week you were able to see both the sunshine and the clouds. I hope you were able to celebrate the accomplishments and blessings of the country even while acknowledging the failings and flaws. I hope that as we continue on in our national journeys, more people can see the complexities, engage in dialogue, listen to each other, speak the truth in love. 

Happy Canada Day. Happy Fourth of July. As followers of Christ in both countries, let’s find our identity in Him and look to Him for leadership, even as we work for the good of where He’s placed us.