I am coming off the bandwagon of criticizing this administration--publicly for sure, and also going to work harder at it in my private conversations as well.  I've not become suddenly okay with all that is swirling around me, but have come to the realization that criticizing and complaining has only worked to bring myself and probably others down a level or two. Complaining accomplishes nothing, and it only fosters more complaining. It certainly does not change anyone else's opinion or will change their vote in the future. In my opinion. And it's just too much negative to deal with. There is SO much negative and so much that is valid to complain about, but for my own sake and for the sake of others influenced by my negativity I'm am hereby relinquishing my right to complain. : )

I do want to apologize also if I came across as uncaring or as someone who is hardened to the fallen nature of unbelievers. I don't want to give that impression, but I see I could have easily given that impression with my sarcasm and criticism. I am passionate about justice, and when I see injustice I have a tendency to become vocal. I need to continually remind myself of my "role" in this. God's role is to "execute justice and righteousness for all who are oppressed" Psalm 103:6, and my role is to continually pray. I am to pray that the way will be opened up for God to execute justice and righteousness for all who are oppressed.

I want to reflect the heart of the Father. And what is His heart? It is to save the lost. And He has designed this to be achieved through free will. He longs and weeps over the lost. I want that burden to be on me. Because in the grand scheme of things, losing freedoms that we've always known is of little consequence in comparison to what lies ahead for those who do not believe in the One true God and in His Son whom He sent.
And when I look into the face of Jesus on that great and terrible day of the Lord, (great for those who believe, terrible for those who don't), I know what will be reflected back to me in His eyes. It will be my own heart. I will know in that instant all of my failures, all of the things I invested my time in that did not produce good fruit, all the wasted time on the insignificant. And I will weep because I will be gazing into His eyes that reflect love in it's purest form. Oh the depths of that love-- it is beyond human knowledge. It will all be about Love, His love that He has for me and for the human race, and I know I will grieve because I'll see all the time I wasted on things that did not matter. Jesus is the real deal. He's not boring, He is life itself. All the longing I have in my heart for things that matter-- it all begins with Him. That is where I want to be. It's so easy to pursue the insignificant.

Oh the Beauty of This Man
by Allen Hood and David Brymer

My heart is stirred by a noble theme
Bringing blessed words unto my King
Giving up my love as a sweet offering
Oh the beauty of this Man.

For the sake of love, He left His Father's throne
Searching for a bride, bone of His bone
Such a humble kiss to make her dust  His own
Oh the beauty of this Man.

Chorus
Jesus I love you
I give You all my worship
Jesus I love You
Your name is Wonderful

See His hands, His head, His feet and His side
They bear the marks of wrath, a pure sacrifice
To secure her love by giving up His life
Oh the beauty of this Man.

She now faint with love, beckons Him to come
Establish righteousness as God's risen Son
On that glorious day, she will marry her Fair One
Oh the beauty of this Man...

As I watch what is unfolding in Washington with our leadership, I'm more and more convinced this is a problem much bigger than we think. As I watch the deliberate deception I'm convinced this is a spiritual battle. This goes beyond just calling our senators and representatives (who in Michigan appear to not give a rip about what the people think), this goes beyond marching on Washington. Those things are good and we should voice our opinions, but if we think that is going to win the battle we are sadly mistaken. We can wag our finger all day long at the wrongdoing, but I think the buck stops with the church. With the body of believers that God calls His people.

He clearly lays out how to bring healing to a land. Are we yawning yet? We've heard this for so long I think we've become apathetic to it. Everyone can quote it-- but do we believe it? I think the danger lies in that perhaps our hearts have grown cold to the reality of this verse. It's all laid out right here. This is how to fix our problem. Here it is:  2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 

Bingo-- there it is. For years I thought this verse was referring to the whole country. The whole country  needed to be on their knees. But it's not referring to everybody. It's referring to believers. And according to this verse, if your land is sick, the remedy is for people called by God's name (if that's you then raise your hand), to humble themselves, pray, and seek God's face (not His hand-- He's looking for relationship I think), THEN (emphasis mine) will He forgive their sin and heal their land. But not until. He will allow hardship after hardship to come until His people "get it." And He won't relent until He has our hearts. He wants relationship. And the longer we delay in doing what this verse tells us to do to fix the problem, the longer we delay our healing.
The problem in Washington started in the voting booth-- (well, long before that, but the voting booth was the death blow). The PEOPLE voted. And they got what they voted for. Just like King Saul, God will give the people what they want. And then the consequences soon follow. And they have. This administration has an agenda and they are going to ramrod it through regardless of what the people think. They are on a mission and I believe the only thing that will stop it is 2 Chronicles 7:14. The deception is so thick you could cut it with a knife. I marvel at what I hear being said. I marvel at how they can look bold faced into the camera and say the things they say, and apparently be okay with it. I'm not so naive to say that former administrations were completely honest. I know how government works. But what is happening now is beyond belief. It makes former administrations look like angelic beings. That's why I know shouting back isn't going to fix this. This goes way beyond shouting back.

I've pondered how I am to humble myself. It's hard to feel physical weakness in this country where we have every convenience, fast food is at our fingertips, every luxury known to man is just a flip of a switch away. I numb my mind with rich food, hours of entertainment to keep me from getting bored (heaven forbid), and probably a host of other things that I can't pinpoint because my mind is so numb. ; ) I think incorporating fasting into my life is a start. The little bit I've done over the last 9 months has convinced me there is power in it.  The best way to connect with the Lord (to seek His face), is to separate myself out from my conveniences. Short stints of denying myself of food-- actually sitting still in "quiet" and listening to what silence sounds like. When I do that I realize how my senses are on overload with everything that comes at me daily. It's almost impossible to connect with the Lord when I allow all the clutter to crowd Him out. And it's not worth it. Separating myself out is like spring cleaning-- you don't realize all the clutter until you clean house. Or you see it, but until you deal with it and rid yourself of it you don't realize it's magnitude.

And when I deny myself, or humble myself,  I find the tenderness of the Lord is waiting for me in those times. He's waiting for me to separate myself out, to seek His face, and to listen in silence so I can actually hear Him speak, and hear myself think. I'm finding I don't want to lose those times. He is drawing me in, and what I'm finding is more than anything the world has to offer. Anything. Nothing can compare to the sweet satisfying companionship to be found with the Lord.  It truly is what we as His creation long for. We are longing for relationship with Him, but the world has dulled the senses and shown us "other lovers" that are cheap imitations of the real deal. The Lord is the real deal.

I'm beginning to understand 2 Chronicles 7:14.  It is our lifeline to this country not going down the tubes. But will we answer the call?  Or will we just continue to shout about our freedoms being taken  away. Shouting isn't going to work. Not in the long run.

Healing will not come until we, as a body,  take 2 Chronicles 7:14 seriously.

Will we? It really is up to us.