Reflections

The events of the past few days have changed lives--and possibly our world--forever.  The deadly tornadoes throughout the south have devastated families; destroyed dreams; and debilitated entire communities.  The disaster is unparalleled by anything in my recent memory in the southeast possibly since Hurricane Katrina.  I cannot imagine the feelings of those impacted directly by this devastation.  The overwhelming sense of loss, coupled with a strong determination to "get back up," is shown time and time again in such circumstances. 

I think back to the flooding in our home of Nashville, Tennessee in 2010, and the concern that I have now for the continual rain we are having at this time.  The rivers are rising, and many are coming out of their banks.  Throughout the country, nature seems to be taking a revenge for some unknown reason.  Throughout the world, storms, earthquakes, floods wreak havoc as man stands helpless--overall unable to intervene.

The news of Bin Laden's death has been one of mixed emotions--publicly and privately.  A nation still grieving the loss of so many on 9/11 may have found a bit of closure in the death of the mastermind of that day of terror.  The weights on the hearts of families who lost loved ones on that fateful day may be somewhat lighter. The open celebrations and chanting in the streets show a country that is relieved and joyful that part of the nightmare is over.  But is it?  Will his death enrage other extremists to do more violence against our country?  Will the publicity over another country's involvement in sheltering the man lead to another war for our troops?  Will our fears truly ever be put to rest?

Evil is alive and well in our country, and it will not end with the death of one man.  In President Obama's statement earlier this week, he stated that we are a "nation under God."  That comment is rarely made these days.  On a recent trip to Washington, I was made aware of the fact--not supposition--but fact--that this country was founded on godly ideals and morals.  The United States was born as a result of people wanting to worship--needing to worship--God.  It was a young land based on the belief of trust in God.  It was a new world of hope and dreams based on godly principles.

But now it is politically incorrect to speak of those foundations.  We separate our religious views and beliefs form our secular ones.  We tell our children that prayer is not allowed in the school room.  We tell them that they are not allowed to speak of God in a locker room before a football game.  We tell them that it is fine for them to believe, but just keep it to themselves.

This political correctness has allowed evil to take a foothold in our country.  I think God is ashamed of His children here because we have not taken a stronger stand against this evil.  I don't know what the answers are, but I know the questions.  What is it going to take for America to return to God?  What can we do as Christians to help?  What are our children going to face in their lives because of the complacency of our generation?   In what kind of world will my grandchildren and great-grandchildren live?

I don't necessarily believe that all disasters like earthquakes or a tornado outbreak is God's wrath on His children.  I do believe though that such things show His power, and can--or maybe should--serve as a wake-up call that WE--as individuals; as families; as schools; as churches; as a nation--NEED HIM.  As we honor a day of prayer later this week in our nation, we all need to fall on our knees and beg God to have mercy on us as a country.  We need to ask him to forgive us--individually and collectively--for not standing strong and publicly as a Christian nation.

We need to pray for faith--even as small as a grain of mustard seed.  A faith that will stand through these turbulent times.  A faith that will not falter when our world collapses around us.  A faith that will not shake in fear at the thought of terrorist acts.  A faith to be an example to our children that it is correct to stand up for your beliefs.  A faith that will not shatter when the evil of this world hurls its darts your way.  A faith that knows the best is not in this world--but in an eternity with God.  

I pray this for our country; for my family; for my friends; for my church; and for myself.