Scottie Scheffler Wins Gold Medal at Olympics, Displays Patriotism on the Awards Podium

Scottie Scheffler, the number one professional golfer in the world, won the gold medal in the Olympic men’s golf competition on Sunday.

The 28-year-old shot an outstanding nine-under-par on Sunday at Le Golf National in France, becoming only the third male golfer to win an individual gold medal for the United States.

Scheffler received the gold medal on the awards podium alongside silver-medalist Tommy Fleetwood from England, and bronze-medalist Hideki Matsuyama from Japan. As the United States’ national anthem began to play, Scheffler quickly broke into tears, overcome with emotion.

Scheffler’s wife, Meredith, and their son, Bennett, were in the crowd to support him.

In an interview following his victory, Scheffler explained his emotional reaction during the awards ceremony.

“I get emotional in general; usually I have a bit more time after a tournament to reflect and have a couple moments to myself. But with this one, you go from one thing to the next and you don’t reflect until you’re standing up there on the podium,” Scheffler said.

“I got emotional the other night at the women’s gymnastics, sitting there watching the gold medal ceremony, thinking about our country,” he added. “But that’s a pretty special moment that I’ll remember for a long time, standing up there on the podium with a gold medal around my neck.”

For Christians and conservatives who love our nation, along with its history, traditions and people, the pride Scheffler so obviously takes in his country is stirring.

Who hasn’t at least once teared up, or felt chills down their spine, at a particularly beautiful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”? Whitney Houston’s rendition at Super Bowl XXV in 1991 is one of my personal favorites, which you can watch below.

American poet and author Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” after observing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

The song slowly seeped into our national consciousness, before the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution adopting it as our national anthem, which former President Herbert Hoover signed into law on March 3, 1931. The flag that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner” is on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

As Christians, it’s easy to be torn between our love of country and Jesus’ prayer in John 17:14 that we be “not of the world, just as [He is] not of the world” (ESV).

We can easily get caught up in the news of the day, simmering and stewing over the latest bad government policy, or the victory of a politician we don’t like.

Now don’t get me wrong, politics is important. Christians must pay attention to what is going on in our nation; voting and trying to enact good government policy is one way that we can love our neighbor.

But we must always remember that as Christians, we are citizens of heaven first.

So, how can we properly and prudently love our country? How can we live out our duty to be good Christian citizens, without being inordinately invested in politics?

First, Scripture teaches that we must obey the laws that govern us, if they don’t contradict a higher law – God’s moral law.

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution. … Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:13, 15, ESV).

Second, we should surpass the law by our good works and charity.

An ancient Christian letter known as the Epistle to Diognetus is an early example of Christian apologetics, written around 130 AD. In part, it reflects on how early Christians balanced their faith with their duty as citizens:

[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. … They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws. … So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it.

Lastly, in his book The Four Loves, the great Christian apologist C.S. Lewis wrote how one properly loves their country.

There was a well-known line from English journalist and novelist Rudyard Kipling, who wrote, “If England was what England seems, ‘Ow quick we’d drop ‘er. But she ain’t!”

But as Lewis responds, “Love never spoke that way.” Someone quick to denounce or abandon their country has only a superficial love of their nation.

Indeed, “It is like loving your children only ‘if they’re good,’” Lewis writes, “your wife only while she keeps her looks, your husband only so long as he is famous and successful.”

He continues,

“No man,” said one of the Greeks, “loves his city because it is great, but because it is his.” A man who really loves his country will love her in her ruin and degeneration – “England, with all thy faults, I love thee still.”

As Christians, we can and should love our country – warts and all. It is good and healthy to do so.

At the same time, we should honestly reflect upon our nation’s evils and sins, and work to make her more just and good.

The eminent theologian Thomas Aquinas said that true love is to “will the good of the other.”

So, how can you best love America, praying and working for her good?

As a start, consider becoming more informed on the issues, voting, and getting involved with your state’s family policy council to work for and promote family-friendly public policy in your state.

Congratulations to Scottie Scheffler, and all American Olympians, on your hard work – thank you for representing your country well.

To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

Related articles and resources:

Christian Skateboarder Rayssa Leal Quotes John 14:6 After Winning Bronze at Olympics

Ignorant or Intentional? Either Way, the Opening Ceremonies Were Unacceptable

Paris Olympics: Would They Mock Our Faith if It Wasn’t True?

Photo from Getty Images.