God doesn't really have to have a concern for my patriotism, but

Victor J. Glover, astronaut and servant of his nation, once reflected humbly: “God doesn't really have to have a concern for my patriotism, but I am an American, and we were blessed to be born in America.” In these words lies a recognition of both divine transcendence and human gratitude. For God is beyond the borders of men, beyond flags and nations, yet as mortals we feel the weight of patriotism, the devotion to the land where we were born and nurtured. Glover acknowledges that heaven has no need for our earthly loyalties, yet still he declares his gratitude, seeing his birth in America as a blessing. His words stand as a testament to the balance between faith in the eternal and honor for the temporal.

The origin of this thought is found in Glover’s own life of service. As a U.S. Navy pilot and later a NASA astronaut, he carried his country’s banner beyond the atmosphere, yet he did so with humility, knowing that his work was not for his nation alone, but for all humanity. His acknowledgment that God does not weigh patriotism shows his understanding that divine judgment is based not on earthly citizenship, but on faith, virtue, and justice. Yet his declaration of gratitude for being born American reveals the human heart’s natural bond to the soil and community of its birth. In these two truths—divine transcendence and earthly belonging—we see the fullness of his wisdom.

History too reveals this tension. Consider the life of Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher. As emperor, he was bound to Rome, defending its borders and laws, yet in his Meditations he reminded himself often that the universe is far greater than Rome. His loyalty to his nation did not erase his understanding that he was first a citizen of the cosmos. So too Glover speaks: God transcends the concern of nations, yet man remains loyal to his homeland.

We may also recall the story of George Washington, who after leading America to independence, refused the temptation to crown himself as king. His patriotism was strong, but his faith in providence and his humility reminded him that nations are but instruments of a higher will. Like Glover, Washington recognized both the blessing of belonging to a country and the reality that the divine purpose surpasses all borders. His example shows that true patriotism is not arrogance, but gratitude joined with service.

The deeper meaning of Glover’s words is this: our patriotism must never blind us to the greater truth that all men are children of one Creator. Nations rise and fall, but the eternal remains. Yet within this cosmic order, gratitude for one’s homeland is still noble, for it is the soil from which we spring, the community that shapes us, the field where we labor. To despise it is to despise one’s roots; to honor it is to walk with humility and thankfulness, recognizing the blessings received.

The lesson we must take is twofold. First, remember that your worth before God is not tied to the land of your birth, but to the righteousness of your life. Do not boast of nationhood as though it were salvation. Second, remember to be grateful for your homeland, to see its blessings, and to serve it faithfully. Gratitude for your land should inspire service, not superiority. Love your country, but never forget the brotherhood of all mankind under heaven.

Practically, this means living as both a faithful citizen of your nation and a humble child of the universe. Serve your community, honor your heritage, and protect the values that make your homeland strong. But also open your heart to the wider world, knowing that God’s concern is for justice, mercy, and truth, not for flags or borders. Let your patriotism inspire gratitude, not pride; action, not arrogance.

So remember, children of tomorrow: God may not weigh your patriotism, but you must. Love the land of your birth with gratitude, honor it with service, and protect it with humility. But always hold in your heart the higher truth—that beyond nations lies the eternal, and beyond flags lies the Creator who made all people kin. In this balance, you will find both the blessing of belonging and the wisdom of universality.