Before I get into the subject of this post, let me stop and warn those who don't like to mix faith into, well, anything really, that this post does go down that road. I pray that you are totally comfortable with God, His place within our nation, and the urgency to seek Him at this time.
I was reminded over the last couple days of the battle that so many of us are engaged in. People today are doing their part--no matter how small it may seem--for the future of America. Clearly, we are living in a time that seems stressful and overwhelming, yet it's also one of the most exciting times in our history. I say that because people who had never done anything before, maybe never even cared before, are standing up and speaking out. People have realized that this is not someone else's country, but it's their country and they have to rally the change they want to see. Like never before, housewives, businessmen, actors, and teachers, to name a few, are figuring out what they can do to make a difference. They're going to TEA parties and knocking doors for candidates. They're attending town halls and calling their legislators. They're starting to blog and meeting with like-minded people. The bottom line is they are feeling the urgency of the hour. They are sensing a desperation and are discerning that it's not enough to want more; they have to do more.
I agree. I, too, am trying to do my part to make a difference, to be a voice, to take a stand. But sometimes when we discern a problem, we miss the root of that problem. Not discerning that root is costly because it often causes us to bypass the first things first mandate.
In just the last two days, I've come to understand deeper what we're dealing with. I sense within me that we are in the heat of a major battle, but it's not a battle based solely in a "what-can-I-do?" movement. Yes, we must do. God forbid we do nothing. But I'm sensing the depth of this battle we are engaged in--and it's a spiritual battle. It's a fight for the hearts and minds of people. It's a fight for God's plan for America and Americans, which is under attack. I know, I know, some people would prefer to keep God out of it. That's part of the problem. God cannot be kept out of anything without disaster ensuing!
In the midst of our blogging, our tea partying, and our rallying, God help us to understand that apart from Him we can do nothing. And when hell begins to break loose, as it seems to have done this week, we must understand what is going on--and we cannot have that understanding apart from Him. When we act apart from Him, we go off half-cocked trying to deal with every situation in our own strength, by our own means, and through our own wisdom. And the result of that? We get our own results. This may feel good, look good, and smell good for the moment, but it equals zero in the end.
I have, in the last couple days, seen people willing to embrace rumors rather than believe the best. I have seen people choose to quit rather than stand firm--simply because seeds of doubt were placed within them. I have seen people turn those doubts into accusation, insult, and all-out campaigning for others to join them in their deception. I have experienced mounting anger myself as I have watched it all unfold.
But last night God reminded me of what we're dealing with. God does have a plan. However, His plan, as it draws closer and closer, is always met with opposition. Such opposition involves the very things I've mentioned: deception, severing of relationships, slander. It happens without fail, yet so often we fall into the same habit of responding in the flesh rather than walking in the Spirit. The former leads to frustration. The latter brings added wisdom and an understanding of what is really going on. It brings vision of the bigger picture and refocusing on what we've truly been called to do: intercede, walk by faith, and battle in the Spirit.
This message is urgent because the battle is intensifying, as many who are spiritually sensitive to what is going on will tell you.
Love of nation must be accompanied by dependency on God. America needs that, our leaders need that, and our future depends on that. Any actions taken, no matter how noble, are fruitless without our being "one nation under God."
Many of us have found ourselves disappointed with politics and politicians, wondering where are those who are supposed to serve for the right reasons and do the right things. They may be few and far between, but they do exist. Let's not be deceived. Those who have sacrificed and served in some way, those who paid a price for loving their nation and speaking up for her, those who have been called for this time are also the ones on whom the maligners, the defamers, and the mud-throwers have declared open season. They are those whose names and reputations have been given a beating by those who make a living feasting off them. They are those we need to be praying for. Sarah Palin is one of those people. I support her because she is one of those. And let me make it clear: Those, like Sarah, who have that call carry the weight of that call. Because they are at the center of the battle, they bear a burden most of us will never understand, much less experience ourselves.
Understand, the support of those who have committed themselves to answering God's call is not a fan club or a rock concert. It's spiritual warfare, and though we get out there and defend, and blog, and everything else we do, we must battle first on our knees. First things first. It's necessary, it's serious, it's crucial--and it's NOW.
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