No matter what happens, our mission is still clear.
It's November and I can't stand it.
It's November and I can't wait.
The election is almost here.
I can't stand it because the political ads are driving me batty.
I can't wait because I want it to be over.
(I wanted it to be over months ago.)
(I wanted it to be over months ago.)
Now, as clergy-people, we are cautioned to keep our political views out of the pulpit.
And, rightly so.
This is not a place to go all Democrat or Republican or Tea Party on you all.
This is a place to go all "God" on you.
Oh, believe me, the temptation is there to reach into a scripture like the one today and make the simple comparisons between party lines, saying that one description looks like the leader of this group and that.
Last Sunday, we had a healing service.
We prayed for physical and emotional, personal and community well-being.
Maybe this morning, instead of drawing lines in the sand and preparing for battle; before we go to the poles and do our duty in voting, we can instead pray for our country.
Whether we call ourselves Democrat or Republican, Green Party or Tea Party, we all have to live here, in this place we call America.
Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.
One of the things that makes it free is the notion that we can pray - freely.
Anytime, anywhere.
One of the things that makes this place brave is the notion that we can stand for what we believe in, regardless of creed, color, race or nationality.
What does it mean to be free, I wonder?
Definition of FREE
adjective
1 a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty <free citizens> c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another
2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself
3 a : relieved from or lacking something and especially something unpleasant or burdensome <free from pain> free
b : not bound, confined, or detained by force
4 a : having no trade restrictions
b : not subject to government regulation
c of foreign exchange : not subject to restriction or official control
10: not costing or charging anything
12 a : not literal or exact <free translation> b : not restricted by or conforming to conventional forms <free skating>
13: favorable —used of a wind blowing from a direction more than six points from dead ahead
14: not allowing slavery
15: open to all comers
I can't help but feel as if "free" is what the Lord is referring to when He speaks of the state Israel is in during this time in 2 Chronicles.
They are in just such a situation.
They are in just such a situation.
"relieved from or lacking something and especially something unpleasant or burdensome"
The Lord wants them to be free, but they sound pretty burdened down to me.
Take a read.
2 Chronicles 7:13-15
New International Version (NIV)
13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.What the Lord wants to do is set them free.
What we as human beings want to do is apply blame.
And, at this time of the year, the blame comes across party lines.
Does it matter which party comes into power in this country?
I'm sure there are some folks sitting here this morning who would be very adamant about that point.
But I would argue that it does not.
It really doesn't matter which party has the power.
Neither of these two groups have the answer.
None of the leaders in either of these groups is going to be able to show us the way.
Because the answer to our plight cannot be found in the realm of politics.
Our answer is found in the One who gave us life and breath in the first place.
He alone is the one who gave us freedom, and liberty, and all the good things we have.
And, in spite of which way this country goes, more socialistic, more communistic, more capitalist, our work as the Church is still clear.
Make Disciples.
Matthew 28:18-20
New International Version (NIV)
Regardless of which way our government ends up going, we have work to do.
There are souls who need to hear the message of grace and forgiveness that our Lord offers.
And, if we are so bent out of shape about the state of THIS country, maybe we need to remember one important fact.
This is not our home.
We are not staying here.
We will be where the Lord is someday and THAT will be our home.
Not this mess. Not this world of unstable governments and unthinkable atrocities.
John 14:3
New International Version (NIV)
If we have to be here, while we live in this world, we want peace.
We want healing for our land.
And, while we live here, we work.
We work to make disciples and bring people to a saving faith in Christ.
All the while looking ahead.
Waiting for the day. Waiting for the Return.
As a lovely woman, Jane Sandusky, would say to me.
"I'm ready to go home. Jesus can take me any time now."
I agree Jane.
I've seen enough. I'd rather go on and be with our Lord.
But, I'm still here. So, I must continue to work.
And, we work until the whistle blows and it's time go home.
Jesus, give us the strength to carry on.
We are waiting, waiting.
All of your people, anticipating.
Come here our plea, we are down on our knees, our knees.
Oh, come quickly Lord.
You're all that we need.
Come find your people are waiting.
"We Are Waiting" Geoff Moore and the Distance, 1995
From the album "Home Run"
