Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among your selves. For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and our children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining lights in the universe, offering them the words of eternal life.
Philippians 2:14-16
I was very saddened by the riots that took place in Washington DC, the uproar of anger that surged through the city was disturbing, and clearly not the way to solve the issues that overshadow our country. Somehow we must learn to disagree peacefully, but the year of 2020 has not been a year of peace. It has been bombarded with doubts, questions, grief, and widespread disagreement. It feels like I’ve been transported to another country, for never have I witnessed so much turmoil in such a short period of time!
We need to pray for our country even more today than before.
I choose to be a part of a people group that shines. I may not like what is happening, I might even voice my disagreement, but through all of that I ultimately want to be a light that shines love. God’s love. I choose to be a part of a people group that prays for those that I may not choose to lead our country, or those that I don’t like, whatever the case, I choose to live with an integrity that is laced with prayer. Continuous prayer, everyday!
Yes, I am an American, as most of you probably are, but first and foremost I am a citizen of heaven, and I will live accordingly. Though I may live in a “brutal and perverse culture” my internal being will be at peace and trust in the God that knows all things. We the people have a responsibility to our country, to our eternal home, and a responsibility to engage in peace.
I do not know what the future holds here on earth. I think about the welfare of my children and grandchildren all the time, for I want them to live in a safe and free country. I want them to have peace and prosperity. I want them to know that in their day of danger that the Lord will answer them and deliver them, He will set them safely on high! (Psalms 20:1) I do know that beyond all of this there is victory! “I know God gives me all that I ask for and brings victory to his anointed king. My deliverance cry will be heard in his holy heaven, by his mighty hand miracles will manifest through his saving grace.” Psalms 20:6
We are going through a time of intense woundedness as a country. As history has shown, this too will become a great lesson to all of us, especially our children and grandchildren. God takes our present pain and turns it to victory. He calls each one of us to love one another, to live in peace, and to walk with integrity. We, the people of God, must do this, simply because we are citizens of heaven. We, the Bride of Christ, must walk with pure hearts with a devotion to God alone, and a trust that He alone leads us to victory in Him. This victory is not the right leader, or the correct vote, or policies. Victory is living intimately in the heart of God.
“What a heavenly home God has set for the sun, shining in the superdome of the sky! See how he leaves his celestial chamber each morning, radiant as a bridegroom ready for his wedding, like a day-breaking champion eager to run his course. He rises on one horizon, completing his circuit on the other, warming lives and lands with heat.”
Let peace be in the midst of everything we do. Let our eyes stay focused on our heavenly home, and keep our hearts on the radiant Bridegroom that is our champion!
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“The rarest treasures of life are found in his truth. That’s why I prize the finest gold. Nothing brings the soul such sweetness.” Psalms 19:10
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