And Too Little. . .

It is still the morning of Sept. 11, 2013, and it seems I am very reflective today.  (It could have something to do with having laryngitis, and being sequestered in my room to keep me from talking.  It's given me a lot of time to think things over with the Lord.)

While I bemoaned the "too much" Americans have in my last post, I am currently thinking about the other half of the coin.  Those things in which we have too little. . .

The first that comes to mind is patriotism.  Not blind loyalty to a government or those in office, but a real love for our homeland.  When was the last time that you said the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and meant it?  What about singing the National Anthem as anything more than something that needs to be gotten over with so we can get to the real entertainment, the baseball game?  Do you have a love for the land of your birth?  Do you recognize where it is comes from (history)?  Do you care where it is going (more than just how it just affects you personally)?

I have no idea how America should address all the concerns of the world today.  Should we go into war in Syria?  Who knows?  Surely not the American people with the filtered information we are receiving.  But God does.  Rather than arguing politics, why not pray that His will for America be carried out?  Do you think this is impossible?  Do you not believe that God is more powerful than the intellect and will of national leaders (whatever country)?  

This promise of God from 2Chron. 7:15  is as good today as it was in Biblical times.  We quote this often.  But do we really do it.  You see, God does not just say to pray. 

Too little humility. . .







He calls me to humble myself.  I don't know what that means to you, but to me it means to quit thinking of myself more highly than I deserve.  And to especially to quit thinking of myself more highly than anyone else (including the worlds worst sinner, or the most committed Islamic terrorist).  It means I must be willing to serve all--even those for whom I feel no love; even those who have harmed me and who threaten me.  How does this fit in with my political stance?  Do I harbor hatred for the opposite political party or its leaders?  Or do I pray regularly for government officials, even those I believe don't have a clue who Jesus is?  

Too little hunger for God. . .







I need to seek his face.  Not a perfunctory half-hour quiet time, but to really seek His face.  In every moment of my day.  To seek his face in every way. To seek his will in every situation, even when it goes against my will. Do I really want God's will for America, or do I want what I think God's will should be for America.  (Remember, the church is thriving in China, where it is under intense persecution.  Could it be God's will that American Christians suffer a bit of persecution to draw others to Him?  Just asking. . .

Too little repentance. . .







I need to turn from my wicked ways.  Me, wicked?  I'm a missionary for crying out loud.  But yes, there are still parts of my heart that cling to wickedness.  Not the overt murder, pornography, stealing kind of wickedness, but wickedness nonetheless.  Like the secret pleasure I feel when I hear someone has received what I consider their "just desserts."   Or my inclination to share a piece of juicy gossip with "just one person."  My wickedness. . . it is not the sinfulness of others that needs to be brought to repentance. . .it is MY wickedness.  (Click here to read an article by Mark Driscoll on counterfeit repentance.  Convicting and thought provoking.)

THEN, God will heal our land.  

While I support many other forms of patriotism, including service in the military (my son just completed serving 8 years in the Marines), I believe that our patriotism needs to begin in our hearts and minds, not in our actions.  If every believer (this was written to the people who are called by "His" name) who was at a Fourth of July parade would take up the challenges God gives us in this passage, I believe, based on His word, that we will see a change in America.  Let's do less criticizing and complaining, and more praying.