I may be one of the few individuals who did not watch the Super Bowl this year -- I felt like I was not supposed to.  Though I did not watch it, come the morning after, it was difficult to avoid the drama in the aftermath— celebrations for the Champions, jokes for the... errr… uhmm… “Runner-up”, critiques of the halftime show and of course (everyone’s favorite) the advertisements. 

It is hard to escape.

 

The Coca Cola Bottling Company, of all labels, seems to be leading the pack in controversy.  I wonder if the company is heavily divested in soap-boxes?  If not, they should be,  as they have triggered quite the uprising of folks who are offended that "America the Beautiful",  a Patriotic Song about America could be sung in anything other than English.  (Gasp!) After witnessing so much swirling on social media, I decided to see what the hullabaloo was all about.

 

I’m glad I did.

 

I watched the video and thought it was beautiful.  (Faint!) It was more than aesthetics. It struck my spirit as lovely and I felt like there was something significant on it. 

For those of you who believe our country is now barreling straight to Hell in a runaway beer (or Coke) truck, and doomed to burn in a lake of sugary, carbonated fire... please pause.  Take a deep breath and hear me out.  I think something prophetic and beautiful was released last night and I do not want you to miss it.  

 

(This is not it.)  :-)

After watching the video, I took a look at the lyrics to “America the Beautiful”, which frankly I have not done in years.  Most folks consider this a patriotic song, but in reality, it is a sacred hymn and a prayer for our nation.  If it has been awhile since you have heard it in its entirety and studied the lyrics, please take time and do so.

 

Most of us remember how it begins, celebrating our nation’s physical beauty…

“O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain.”

 

But do we understand the significance of the next part?

“America! America! God shed His grace on thee.

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!”

 

The Coca Cola Bottling Co., one of the biggest players in corporate America, whether they realized it or not, has released a cry to the Most High God, beseeching His blessing and calling for unity in His Holy Spirit!  Whether or not they ever intended it, or not, it has been sent forth. 

I think it is incredibly significant that they chose this song and even more that they chose to have it sung by various tongues. 

They may not have known what they were doing, but I believe God sure did!  His hand was in this!

 

Seldom do we hear the second, third and fourth verses of “America the Beautiful.”  Though the commercial was only ONE  minute long and only provides the first verse, I believe it is noteworthy to look at the song in its entirety to understand the significance of what has occurred.  Once again, I hope you will take time to reflect on it.

 

The second verse, acknowledges our country’s founding by those escaping religious persecution and beseeches the Lord to mend everything across the land that is unholy. 

 

“O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!”

 

This thoroughfare of freedom that has beaten across the wilderness, speaks not only to the founding of our country, but also the prophecy of Isaiah found in chapter 43.

“Behold I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert… The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise,” (Isaiah 43:19,21)

 

The third verse begins by acknowledging our military and those who have sacrificed for our freedom. This kind of sacrifice, of course is a picture of Christ’s love for us as well.  John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

“O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!”

This next part is uncanny.  Listen to how the cry for holiness is crafted and consider the irony of this song being selected by such a huge player in corporate America.

“America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine!”

 

Paraphrased: Lord, put everything we produce in Your refiner’s fire and may all of our success be pure, noble, holy and even divine! 

Again, the Coca Cola Company may not have a clue what they were singing about.  But I believe God’s heart for our country, including big corporations like Coca Cola, has been revealed here.

We need to be singing this... A lot!

As often as we can.

 

Why is all of this so important in this hour? Follow along in the fourth and final verse. 

“O Beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years”

Those who have gone before us in founding this country had more than our earthly well-being in mind, and likewise we should too.  They saw beyond the years and looked forward to the day of Christ’s return, when He will wipe away every tear.

"Thine alabaster cities gleam,

Undimmed by human tears!"

 Yes, they are talking about Heaven. It is not hailing cities made by human hands!

 

One last cry for His blessing and a call for unity in the Spirit.

"America! America! God shed His grace on Thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!"

Clearly, they were looking toward Heaven and the day when every tribe, tongue and nation will revere His Holy Name and sing His praise.  It is no accident that the Coca Cola Company had different tongues singing this hymn.  Whether they realize it or not, the Lord has used this to make His Name known and give us a prophetic picture of His heart and the glorious day of His return!

 

For those of you who consider yourselves Conservative, Patriotic Christians, and you have been vocalizing disdain for what transpired last night, please consider performing an Olympic-size dismount off your soapbox for a moment and ponder what I’ve shared…

There is something greater at work here.

Greater than politics

Greater than the kingdoms of this earth

Greater than the issues of the day, such as immigration or whether we should have English as the national language (or even the Pepsi Challenge).

He is coming! The King is Coming!

We need to be found watching and waiting... Meanwhile, praying for our country... and living in a manner worthy of His calling... Looking forward to that glorious day.

"For it is written, 'As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God'".