Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
Whose heart hath ne’er within him burned,
As home his footsteps he hath turned
From wandering on a foreign strand!
So wrote the Scottish poet and novelist Sir Walter Scott in his poem "The Lay of the Last Minstrel." Scott's point seems to be that few people lack an affection for their native land. Certainly I can concur with Scott's sentiments after my recent trip to my home country, the United States. Being surrounded by familiar faces, hearing my native language being spoken by nearly everyone around me, and seeing well-remembered and beloved sights brought a sense of contentment--even if only experienced for a few days before my return to my temporary home in China.
Of course, in some quarters, a love for one's country is suspect. Doesn't it lead to chauvinism, xenophobia, or even, sometimes, war? That is sometimes true, but I tend to feel that patriotism is not a bad thing, as long as it is the right sort of patriotism. There is a type of patriotism that is chauvinistic, always comparing other nations unfavorably with one's own, and refusing to acknowledge any of the less admirable aspects of one's own people or land. However, I believe that there is a healthy love of country, rather like a healthy love for one's family. One may not always agree with what his family members say or approve of their actions, and yet, it is still possible to have an affection for them and a concern for their well-being. To me, that is what a proper love of country should be like.
Of course, for those, like me, who are Christians, love for one's country can never be allowed to override a love for those of other nations and a concern for their native lands. After all, we are commanded to bring the Gospel to all nations, and throughout the Bible we can see God desires for His people to go beyond the barriers created by differences in nationality. And yet, the existence of different nations and peoples seems to be part of the divine plan for humanity. Even in Heaven we are told there will be "a great multitude that no-one [can] count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne [of God} and in front of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9, New International Version). Just as God has given us families to live with and love, so has He given us our native lands to live in and love. At the same time, He calls us to go beyond our love of family and country in response to and to express His love. For, in fact, even more than being members of our families and citizens of our countries, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God.
Image: Landscape painting of the Scottish highlands so beloved by Sir Walter Scott,