United

My television screen glows big and bright, as I watch the world unite tonight. With joyful smiles and dancing in the streets, singing different languages to common beats.

This is what it’s all about, loving one another without casting doubt. Accepting your neighbors, standing hand in hand, we’re in this together across every land.

People of every color, touching hearts and hands, people of every faith, united in the stands. People who celebrate, people who belong, joining their voices in one mighty song.

Our leaders may divide us and sow seeds of fear, but we are the people who know why we’re here. We’re here to welcome, to honor, and to cheer, to build one another up and draw everyone near.

A thousand flags may wave in the air, yet hope is the banner we’re all meant to share. Though borders and oceans may keep us apart, the beautiful game brings us close in our hearts.

The final whistle blows and the crowds disperse, but the lesson remains in every verse: that the world shines brightest when love leads the way, and we’re more alike than we are led to say.

For beneath every jersey, every anthem sung, beats a human heart, old and young. And for one shining moment, the whole world can see the beauty of who we were created to be.