Ohio! In Japanese, that is a casual, friendly way to say “Good Morning!” Yesterday, though, we celebrated National Ohio Day which acknowledges the 17th state to join the Union on March 1, 1803… or August 7, 1953.
“On March 1, 1803, Ohio was admitted as the 17th state of the United States. This date marks when the Ohio General Assembly convened for the first time, effectively functioning as the state government. However, at the time, there was no formal act of Congress explicitly declaring Ohio’s statehood, which was a procedural oversight rather than a deliberate omission.
“The lack of a formal congressional declaration was rectified much later. In 1953, during the 150th anniversary of Ohio’s statehood, Congress passed a retroactive act officially recognizing March 1, 1803, as the date of Ohio’s admission to the Union. This act was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on August 7, 1953, ensuring that Ohio’s statehood was formally acknowledged in the historical record.”1
“This Great Lakes State’s northern border includes 312 miles of Lake Erie shoreline. For Ohioans, that’s both an economic and recreational boon. It’s also a natural resource. As the 12th largest lake in the world, the consumable food and water it provides are invaluable.
“From the icy blue lakes to crystal clear sky, Ohio has been known to look to the clouds. Whether we recall the Wright Brothers for getting us there, the pilots who went there, seek out observatories to look deeper, and of course, the astronauts who go where few have gone before, Ohio keeps our heads in the clouds!”2
We are also known as the Mother of Modern Presidents as well as the Buckeye State. Some other characteristics of this state are:
- State bird: cardinal
- State tree: buckeye
- State flower: it was the red carnation which was replaced in 1986 by the white trillium
- State fruit: pawpaw (never have I eaten this or seen it!)
- State bug: the ladybug
- State deer: white-tailed deer, seen as a hood ornament this time of year!
- State reptile: black racer snake
- State amphibian: spotted salamander. Please tell me where these are at?!?
I would be remiss if I didn’t also include the ending to the title of this devotional. I-O. Yes, we are home to the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. O-H. I-O.
The Lord has blessed my wife and I, allowing us to have lived in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky (just my wife), and Michigan. We have visited and/or vacationed in several
other states and have been in Canada and Honduras. But the place we call home is Ohio. As Dorothy famously said as she clicked the heels of her ruby red shoes, “There’s no place like home!”
Even though we live in Ohio, this really isn’t home, is it? At least, not for the Christian. In fact, there is no place on this earth that is truly home to the Christian. Instead, we have to look UP to see home.
Philippians 3:20-21 says, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” As believers, our conversation – our community of citizenship and the headship of our government – is in Heaven. That’s home. And we “groan” for home.
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2)
Jim Hill provided the words and music to one of the most powerful songs that could serve as our National Anthem. It says:
There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
There’ll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
No more parting over there;
And forever I will be,
With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
In the Hall of Faith recorded in Hebrews 11, a simple truth is offered which shows what these giants of the faith desired. May we say this is our desire as well – a desire for our new home.
“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:16)
1https://historysnacks.io/event/sIgZXDl5/
2https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-ohio-day-november-2
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