We see this nearly every day on our currency and coins.  Curiosity made me look up the history of this motto on our money.  In 1814, following the War of 1812, some of our Christian forefathers thought recognition should be given to God, but nothing was done.  In 1864 (Civil War), the movement was revived and those words first appeared on a 2 cent coin.  Through the years, they were added to an occasional minted coin issued.  In 1956, the 84th Congress approved the motto “In God We Trust” to be printed on all currency.  

But back to the motto… As 21st century Christians, we can reinvent the motto “In God We Trust” by our actions and fervor.  Looking around, I see others striving to remove God from our surroundings by excluding Nativity scenes from decorations, replacing Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays (wasn’t that derived from Holy Days?), removing the ten commandments from court rooms, trying to remove “under God” from our pledge of allegiance.  My own pet peeve is hearing people use God’s name in careless and useless ways– not referring to our holy God, and even to the shortened version of texting “OMG” (Oh my God).  Yet we stand by and do nothing.  

There’s an old hymn: “Stand up, Stand Up for Jesus.”  We can do that!  We have a right, and even a responsibility, to stand up for our Christ-centered beliefs.  Let others know what we believe, what God means to us, and how we rely on our loving God to hear our prayers and provide for our needs.  This is living Lent.  Read Psalm 9:10. Psalm 22:4, and Romans 10:10-11, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Helen