America, the bold, controversial experiment said to be of the people, by the people and for the people, under God, has become feeble and fearful of her people. The fear has poisoned our leaders who forsook faith for something more tangible—cash. A nation that grew to have the largest economy by far of any country including those who colonized her.
The beginnings were tough, a harsh going in undeveloped land full of indigenous peoples. Would the country survive? Could we forge a nation? Could we do so alone? There was fear and faith, even with America’s original sin, God saw fit to create precious faith in the enslaved people who even while oppressed pressed into the mercy of God who kept us.
In this country we have so much, yet we fool ourselves into thinking that there may not be enough for everyone, so some will need to be excluded from our plans.
We are a nation founded upon Judeo-Christian principles, but somehow, we learned to follow the world’s path of economic misery. The Bible taught us principles, but we would rather ditch them for principles that are more humanly thoughtful. At some point the creator of the universe gets in over His head.
Dramatic Unfolding
America’s growth and evolution paced with the economic development of the country. When times were good, there was substantial growth in the living conditions of the populace. When times were bad America would bend its collective knee in prayer. As things would improve, the praying would cease. From the Revolutionary era through the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights/Vietnam era through September 11, Black Friday, the pattern has remained.
Horrific events would elicit suffering and hopelessness followed by desperate pleas to God whose unending mercy responds, the republic survives, souls are saved. Time moves on. The republic leans in its own direction and the cycle begins again. After each episode, America recognizes the mercy she has received, yet she still meanders down Mammon’s path distracted by the world’s shiny trinkets.
Jesus speaks on the topic
America convinces itself that we are indeed rich (one of Mammon’s great lies) and as a result, we don’t need God, guidance, or the Kingdom’s abundance. It might be wise to re-state the words the Lord spoke as rendered in Luke 16 [MSG]: Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things,
you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things,
you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs,
who will put you in charge of the store?
No worker can serve two bosses:
He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.
You can’t serve both God and the Bank.
How might we best change this?
Is Congress completely dysfunctional?
Do you pray for the Nation? Our Leaders?
