Christianity is a hard faith to live out. Sometimes it’s a hard faith to speak up for. To the world, it looks like foolishness. To those who don’t have opened eyes and ears and hearts, this faith looks downright crazy.
But, to those of us who have been touched by the mercy of God, who have been transformed by the living Savior, who have been redeemed in the most dramatic sense, the Christian way is simply the only way. The Truth. Freedom. Grace. Peace.
And, this faith, this Savior, is strong enough to endure the attacks of this world. The jeers, the jokes, the threats, and the ill will. They are nothing new, not to this Jesus, who said that the world hated Him long ago. Not to the God who was handling the foolish decisions of man from the first days of creation.
But, America, we say! America is different! Here, we worship as we please, with the blessing of our government. America is wise and wonderful and it is a Christian nation. And then subpoenas in Houston. And we crumble. And we wonder where our faith ends up if America collapses out from under it.
We grow fearful. We have somehow intertwined our faith in God with our faith in this country. We see this intertwining on display every time we turn the Lord’s Day into a patriotic parade. We feel this intertwining when we hear God’s name drop from the lips of a celebrity on an awards stage. We cling to this intertwining even as our country takes baby steps away from Christianity and its tenets.
One day, we may wake up to find that America has no tolerance for Christian people. One day, when experience has taught us better, we may realize that these are easy times we are living in today. One day, when times are really hard. When our faith must stand alone, against brothers and sisters, friends, and country.
Things may turn around. God, in His providence, may bring an extraordinary revival to this country. He may completely change the trajectory of this great nation.
But, what if He doesn’t? What if, in His providence, He brings revival through great trial and persecution of our sons and daughters? Do we have a faith that is founded on complete trust and belief in God, or part trust and belief in God and part trust and belief in the United States of America?
Governments rise and fall. Rules change. But, God never changes. He was the same before He ever lifted a finger to create humanity. The mighty God we see in Scripture, the one who created this entire universe with a few words tossed out into nothingness, He is greater than any country, any government, any man-made institution.
As Americans we have lived out a comfortable faith. If things get uncomfortable, even frightening, we should not lose heart. Our God is just as big, just as in control, and just as sufficient as He ever was. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don’t lean on your government’s protection. Or your own understanding. He knows. He is working.
God bless America.
Melissa, I read and listen to many speakers. Your writing rarely fails to pierce my stubborn mind and heart like no one else.
Robert
Robert, I doubt you’ll ever know how often you encourage a complete stranger. Thank you so much for your words!
This is so true! Thank you for this post.
Thank you, Amy!
I did a window for my church library with the normal – If my people who are called by My Name… Then I said instead of God bless America, [and how can a Holy God bless us with all that we are doing or not doing], Will America Bless God?
This has been on my heart so much lately. I think how strongly I feel about the things I believe in, but would my heart and mind be so focused and devoted to Him and to His name and glory IF I and my family were TRULY being persecuted like many around the world? What if I was being held like those dear little girls who have been captured? Would I be one who stood faithful to the end? So I pray. I pray to be a faithful and bold witness now and in whatever the future brings. He claims me in front of all of heaven. I want to always claim Him, with a heart filled with gratitude, before the world.
Beautifully said, Laura!
I subscribe to several blogs. Some of which I glance at the posts and sometimes don’t read at all. But yours, I look so forward to each day. Your writing is always right on and often poignant. Thank you for your encouragement and reminders.
tracy
Tracy, thank you so much for your encouraging words! They mean so much!
Amen. I pray we are found to be steadfast and faithful to Him ❤️