I had this T-shirt designed several years back when two opposing presidential candidates both claimed that THEY had the plan to "bail out" America. The shirt reads: Jesus... He's got the best bailout plan yet!" with a flag nailed to the cross. I sold many of them and only stopped making them because the cost to reproduce them became too high. My reason for placing the American flag on the cross was to show that only Jesus can "bail us out" of our sin, our idolatry, our religiosity, our hypocrisy, our calamity... regardless of whatever strides a political leader makes or does not make, it still will never be enough to "bail us out." We need our hearts to be changed, convicted, turned towards Him, our ears inclined towards His words - His TRUTH - not man's conspiracies. We need our eyes to be open to His ways, our mouths to speak His love and forgiveness and our hands to receive one who was lost and now found. Jesus entreated His followers to go and make disciples of all nations, not just here in America, but of the nations. He did not ask them to swear unwavering loyalty to a political party, but to Him.
I greatly respect our political system of checks and balances and those who legislate for law and order. I can remember my first trip to Washington D.C. as a girl scout and was utterly fascinated as I toured The White House, the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, The Jefferson Memorial, and the Washington Monument. I am entirely grateful to live in the "land of the free" and the "home of the brave." I have voted in every single election I was eligible for since I turned 18 and I do not take for granted that right. I respect the military and I respect law enforcement. I respect the constitution and the Declaration of Independence. I had to memorize parts of them for school - and I did. I respect "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." I respect the "American Dream" and am thankful to be living mine... BUT... none of that, none of it, supersedes that I am a "slave to Christ." It may sound odd to hear that but it means I am bound to Christ. Where HE goes, I go. I follow no one else as far as my unwavering support and loyalty.
I am entirely grieved by the state of our nation and the course it now finds itself on. I see so many, on both sides of the political aisle, looking for the one who will "save" the people... "save" the country, "save" the future... the truth is, there is ONE Who will and HAS "saved" the people, "saved" the world and "saved" the future. You've heard it said so many times that this world is not our home, at least not permanently. Set your sights on the One eternal. We're only passing through. He has shown us the way to life, freedom and joy.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
May we ever be found faithful.
In Him,
~Sherry Anne (Jan 13, 2021)