I am proud to be an American and to have the freedom that is so often taken for granted. Indeed, America is a great country, but she is not a perfect country. Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church, wrote an essay in 1995 entitled, “The Paradox of our Age.” His words speak volumes to us today . . .
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life but not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We’ve done larger things, but not better things. We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
Today is a time like none other for Christians to be salt and light to a world that has lost its way. So often, we hear the phrase, “God Bless America.” All would agree God has blessed America and has blessed America in a great way. Believers must realize our responsibility to bless America.
Paul wrote Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
We learn from these few verses how we the Christian can be a blessing. First, we can pray for all people. Pray for friends, family, neighbors and enemies. Pray for leaders . . . whether you are a democrat or republican . . . whether you agree or disagree with policy . . . pray.
Second, live a Godly life. Paul wrote about having lives, “marked by godliness and dignity.” Just don’t claim to be a Christian. Live out your faith. The world has seen enough “lip service.” We need to show more “life service.
Third, do what God wants. What does God want? Paul wrote, “God wants everyone to be saved.” Believers must have an obsessive compulsion to share the gospel with everyone.
I am thankful Jesus saved me. I am thankful he allowed me to live in America. My desire is for my life to be a blessing to my country. What about you?
