A Long Thought About 'America'

[christofer]

This is kind of long - but it flowed out - and I want to ask - is it too harsh? too judgmental? Is it fair - of fairly lopsided?

It is time to rise above the illusion of our teachings. It is time to sift through all of the misdirection and rediscover what God has truly taught to man. Over and over - first through the prophets - then through His Son - He has told us His will - and still we have not hear Him. He has spoken to our hearts - in everything we do - and still we remain hardened to Him - more concerned for ourselves than others. We have no excuses for the things we do. We are a wicked and evil world - and so it is that our Father will give us what we deserve. We will reap what we sow.

Yesterday was a day when we we are called to remember those who are said to have died for this country we call America - and a day to honor those who have survived in their service to this country in the military. While I do feel sorrow for the dead - and respect for those who have served - I do not feel we do anyone any honor when we portray America as a righteous force of God. We are anything but righteous. The people of America are deceived into believing that we are some sort of positive force in a world of oppression. We are oppressors - and our enemies are fellow oppressors - all battling for the right to rule over the poor and the helpless like two bullies in the school yard. Whether we are conservative or liberal - Christian or Muslim - Democratic or Communistic - we are all bastards - separated from our Father - living outside the will of our Father.

I am just an American, and from this point of view, I know we cannot change what our neighbors do without first changing what we do. Our efforts to force change through blood shed only creates more blood shed. I have witnessed the sheer blindness of my nation as they sing praises and pledge allegiance to America which is as vile as can be. It is as if no one realizes that we make war - though our Lord did not make war - nor did He lead a rebellion against the Romans. He did not come to make peace - but this is because we cannot accept the terms by which peace must come. Where are our hearts so humble? Where is our love for others more than ourselves? We cry out to Him in great numbers - but it is with our lips - not our hearts. We are corrupted, drunk in lust for material possessions,ourselves and each other - despite the purity of our Lord. We drown our guilt in our vast wealth - and all the while we cover it up with half hearted actions and a collective smile - even though our Lord despises lukewarm followers. We are like the Pharisees of His day - only worse - because we claim to be following the Messiah Himself.

Is it not time we find within ourselves the maturity of the Holy Spirit to stand up and actually BE children of God? How much more could He have blessed a nation? How is it that we feel justified in turning from His Way? There will always be those who do not believe in a free society - and it is their choice to make, but there has to be a group awakening to the fact we, the so-called Christians in this nation are nothing but hollow shells - pretenders to His Way. Those of you crying out in defense of yourselves and America need not speak to me - but rather - look in the mirror - and speak to God - that He might help us revive that which has died in this our nation.

America has been gifted with amazing resources - far more than we need - and enough to literally care for the entire world - if we so desired. Still - we only do the things that best benefit ourselves. Even in our times of charity - we boast to ourselves and the world - as if that will spare us from the consquences of our sins. Surely - there are exceptions to this - Christians who are truly following Him as best as they can - but the exceptions cannot make up for the multitudes of digressions. Is it any wonder the Muslims see us as the 'Great Satan' as we exploit the poorest of this world and shed the blood of others so that our coffers might overflow? If we lived by His Way - we would not judge others so that we might not find a foothold to make war - we would pray for them and help them over come the very cancer that is eating away at our society.

Can our cups overflow any more than they already have? After all, overflow is wasted. At what point will it be enough to quench fury? When will we be appeased? What cost must the world endure before our wrath subsides and we fall into the true grace of God? There is a season for everything - and I can tell you all without a doubt - the tides are turning in America. Her enemies will rejoice - for she will finally be humbled - just as every great and terrible nation before her has been. She will fall, just as every so-called invincible empire has. If Babylon could not resist His will, how will we? If Israel - the chosen people of God - could not escape His great justice - what hope does our nation have? If Rome could not withstand His judgment - what makes us think that we will?

America is nothing special. She is just another empire riding the ambitions of men that have little to do with the things that Jesus taught us. I do not know if it is too late to change our nation - but I know it is never too late to change ourselves. It is time, at long last, to stand up for all the things He taught - and follow every teaching He gave. It is time to consume every single morsel of the bread of life, and quench our thirst with His blood - so that we might truly become the lamps of light that He calls us to be. It is time for us to stand against the bitter sweet ways of the world - and be salt to the world - as He so desired. When we aren't heard, we are to walk away. When we are ridiculed we are to be patient and forgiving. When we are beaten and abused, we are to suffer for the sake of His name. If we cannot follow the things He spoke - how will we ever hear the things He is speaking today through the Holy Spirit? He is not saying anything different than He did two thousand years ago - but we are still as deaf as we were back then.

It is time to listen with our hearts - and not our ears. It is time to step into the light - instead of hiding in the shadows. It is time to be blinded by His love - instead of being blind in the dark. For all that we do - we are nothing without Him. For all our justifications - we are unjustified unless we are obeying His commands. For all our pride - we are a disgrace in the eyes our Father. He sees all things as they truly are - not as we paint them. He hears all things in truth - not deceived by our clever words. He feels our hatred - and still offers His love. How can we not repent and run into His arms?

Is it not time?

[SageStranger]

Christofer,
This is indeed a long post, but full of insightful and fiery thoughts. I'm afraid it requires a long reply, I appologize...

I could just imagine you in a pulpit or behind a podium shouting those words and pounding your fist as you do. Great thoughts, yes we need to get back to the will of The Father. We need to operate out of love rather than greed and the desire of power.

The question that comes to my mind is this, "What can we as individuals do to make a difference in our nation?" And it occurs to me that the only way to make positive differences in how our nation as a whole operates is through legal precedence. We have to change the way our government thinks and reacts, in it's foreign and domestic policies.

I will admit that I have never been a big political person, and have not voted as often as I should. I have often thought that I can make no difference. But the more I see the need for change in our nation, the more I feel that this is the responsibility of every citizen who really wants to see change.

I know most of the folks on this forum are teenagers, and I hope you guys hear this, because it will be up to you to decide on the future. When you become of age to vote, do it! And don't just do it randomly, think about it, consider policies and react in the way your conscious tells you to. This is one way that we can have a voice. But is that enough? Hardly...

What else? How can we address the social injustices here in our own nation? We see a fellow standing on the side of the off ramp holding a sign that says "Disabled/Homeless/Stranded - Need Help, Will work for Food!" and we hand him five dollars, drive off, and feel better about ourselves. Yeah this is a good thing, this is charity, but have we done anything about the bigger picture of poverty? Have we done anything to change the social injustices that may have brought this man to this kind of existence? No... And what can we do?

Yes we need to think about God, and what God wants us to be individually, but this isn't enough. When we see social injustice, instead of asking "Why?" we need to be asking "What does God want us to do now?" When we see our nation abandoning God and sinking deeper and deeper into vulgarity and neglect, instead of pointing a finger we need to say "What can I do to help bring about God's will?"

I don't have the answers, I wish I did, but I think you are right about the condition of our country. And I think we all need to be asking some serious questions about how we can have a positive effect on the way our country operates. We need some real answers, not just some feel good catch phrase that makes us say "Amen!"

I'm interested in what you have to say Christofer, what exactly can we do to change things FOR GOD? Is it indeed too late? I hope not! I have hope for this country, I have hope for the problems that we have, that there may be some way to change for the better.

Well I could go on all night, my wife just asked me if I was typing a sermon, so I'm gonna shush now...

Blessings and Peace.

[christofer]

I have no doubt we (America) will pay for the wrongs we have done - and in fact - already are paying! The only thing I can think to do is to start following Jesus to the letter. This is truly hard to imagine, in a land that drips sin from every pour - as we are tempted in every way through everything, but it has to start with us- those who are willing to believe.

In America - there is some outrageous number who claims they believe - something like 85% or more. But that kind of belief won't cut it. We need to believe in Him like we do others. For instance, if you play basketball and you believe Michael Jordan is the best basketball player ever - you will try to emulate him in every way. If you are a rock guitarist, and you believe Jimi Hendrix is the best guitar player ever - you will learn each and every note he ever recorded in an attempt to go where he had gone.

Can we truly follow Him? Can we find the strength and faith to abandon our earthly ways in favor of His higher calling? I know we can - it just has to begin. People are typically like sheep - if one stands up against the world - soon there will be two - and so on - and so on.

As you pointed out - giving a 5 spot to the homeless on the side of the road does not address the problem of poverty - but it is a start for each person who tries it. That good feeling generated - instead of being enough - needs to become the prompting for actually getting involved with programs who seek to rehabilitate the homeless. I know in Orlando - there are several groups that try to help - but they are under funded and understaffed. Why not give them some money on a consistent basis? Why not volunteer our time to helping them feed and house and train the homeless? Why not do both?

Perhaps though - it has to start with prayer for God's help to make us more sensitive and compassionate.

I am totally open to new ideas and strategies to accomplish change though, especially from the younger ones - as I believe they are more aware of society than I am.

[Xombie]

Ok, I read the first post. Chris's post. And I think that all of these words are true. But also I dont see America (as head strong as the people are) just changing all the sudden and then becoming friends with the people who causes 9/11. But I wish they would try. She say that they are helping the people over there. I guess some of them they are but some of them I dont think they are helping people at all.

[christofer]

You're right - change will likely not happen at all - let alone suddenly - but even reading the post may plant seeds of change for a few.