The Time for a Nation to Reawaken Spiritually
OpineBooks.com
Waves of legal, moral, and spiritual issues blow against this country now. They seem to come on us in larger numbers. They carry powerful forces.
Crashing over and around us, waves of conflicting opinion cry an alarm: Look homeward as well as outward! Pay attention! Be more watchful about what is happening!
We say we hold dear this free land in which we live. Have we forgotten to pay attention to what made this country unique enough to rise to lead the world?
Those who started this new form of government came from European seats of development, invention, and social arrangement unusual for their day. Others came in poverty, having nothing but life and hope. All are called colonists, or early settlers.
Forced labors of indentured servants, who signed on for years of ownership by others in exchange for eventual freedom, marked the status of many over the years. Forced labors of slaves, captured in collusion with their countrymen and other nations, built much that was built; they grew the crops of large plantations, mini-cultures like self-sustaining settlements.
It is worth taking the time to remember those who risked much and those who suffered much. Some freed slaves chose to return to their countries. Others stayed to build a different life. Today, many descendents of slaves build families, businesses, educational institutions, and charities in the U. S. and elsewhere.
Later, as a nation, the U. S., like its emblem, the eagle, spread its wings of plenty to help carry countries and societies through hard times around the world. Multiple cultures were welcomed to come and live freely. Most of all, they came to escape fear of persecution.
Known for a while as “the bread basket of the world,” U. S. grains, wheat, and other products fed millions at risk of malnutrition or starvation.
The governmental and education systems of the U.S., including schools like Harvard and Princeton, originated from people of strong Christian faith. In efforts to rewrite history, many opposed to faith try unsuccessfully to erase this fact.
History is human, and like humans its stories tell of gross wrongs and unimaginable self-sacrifice. The historical idea, the goal, however, is something else. That is what those at the beginning of leadership set into words, to express something they wanted the new nation to strive for.
Eventually, those ideals became accessible to all and embraced by most, of whatever national or cultural or religious background.
Conflicts have been attempted, but the words passed down through the years continue to call us to certain basic ideals. And those ideals grow from the teachings of Christ Jesus, who had no place of his own to lay his head.
Yet, places like Plymouth, Massachusetts, where Pilgrims landed almost 400 years ago, no longer, I’m told, allow mention about the basic contributions and influences of those full of Christian faith who came, suffered, built, sacrificed, and prevailed.
That one example is part of the wave of denial trying to overtake our country today. It is based on religious prejudice as bad as any in history. It seeks to kill, steal, and destroy.
People of the United States who are Christians need to examine ourselves. Are we bogging down in political anger? Do we hate people who disagree with us or fail us? Then we need to look to repent of hatred and anger that leads to sin.
Christians within the U. S. and around the world need a revival of Christian faith and devotion. The continent most likely to spark this, although we cannot predict for sure, is Africa. Christians in Africa, including the Episcopal/Anglican church there, not only uphold the Cross of Christ, His redemptive suffering, death, and resurrection; they also uphold the principle that faith in Christ will produce good works consistent with the works He did, to help, heal, and oppose evil as it is clearly defined in Scripture.
The United States needs a revival of Christian faith more than it needs anything. Those of us who believe Christ need to follow His words, Watch and pray. As we follow news and are tempted to fall into worry or blaming certain people, Christ wants us to cast all our cares upon Him.
Jesus is alive. The political or financial realities are passing away, but the Word of God does not pass away.
Article submitted Tuesday, March 24, 2009 & read 165 times.
Jean Purcell is a book publisher and writer. Her first book was Not All Roads Lead Home under her pen name, Jane Bullard. Her web site is http://www.opinebooks.com.Sign up for the free Opinari Quarterly for Christian Writers, Publishing Professionals, Book Lovers, and Reviewers on her web site.
Please log in to leave your comments.
» left by Joel Hendon (2 years 328 days ago.)
Hi Jane, a great article. You are definitely right, we need a gigantic revival of faith and with it comes ethics, morals and righteousness..
» left by Jane Bullard (2 years 328 days ago.)
Joel, thanks for the feedback. I'd like to do something about the Great Awakening. Will need to learn more specifics first.
» left by robert (2 years 318 days ago.)
Jane, I for one couldn't agree more but and that but very significant, believrs need tor ecognie the signs all about. Just the otehr day one again peace and Security uttered by our government. Unbelief on the rise and all the deeds associated with that. Certainly the call valid but the reality, well let me look more to why it will not be. Best wishes.
» left by Jane Bullard (2 years 309 days ago.)
Dear Robert, Apologies that I am behind on responses. Thank you so much for reading my articles. This Easter Day is a reminder of hope. The church grows during times of adversity. I believe that God is preparing and perhaps pruning the church in these days, whatever the "denominations." Dear brother in Christ, with you I seek to remember the Lord at all times, with thanksgiving and praise.