The summer of discontent...

'Mulling over the "summer of discontent" (who WASN'T incensed about something?), I can't help but think that all the "change" that everyone declares is needed, has to start with just ONE: that would be me, that would be you...that would NOT be WE! This is most true of the Body of Christ's believers right now. I'll explain my thinking, as I read and hear from other brothers and sisters

1. A call to prayer for the repentance of the country's leaders and country's citizens
*Where is the call of repentance for ourselves and our body of believers?

2. A call to "speak (yell) out" against the evil leadership in our country
*Where is our call to pray for our leaders (NOT blindly obey, but to pray for) and to
"speak the truth in love"?

3. A rally against those who do not share our value of life...at all stages
*I have yet to see even one Christian take in a pregnant women and help her so she can
either learn how to care for herself and her baby or to give her up for adoption...
*Fighting against government run healthcare/programs and yet cashing Social Security
checks and signing up for Medicare just like everyone else. For those who are so against
these public programs", there are ways to "religiously object" and not pay into them, and
thus not receive those benefits (or just deny to use them, period). I know of only one
person who has ever said they have done this..
*Attending rallies in battery operated wheelchairs, to wave posters of our President with a
Nazi mustache, when that very wheelchair was provided through a federal disability
program...one that we all pay into, so that we can take care of each other when any one
us is no longer able to care for themselves. I suppose that's socialism...but if it is,
it sort of works.
*A young lady declaring that we should all just "take care of each other" and there would
be no need for government assistance. 'Sounds awesome: are there enough Christians
to staff the hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices that are needed? Other than "pastoral
visits", I'm not really seeing a lot of that kind of sacrifice going on.

4. Using anger and passion to get a point across, versus prayer and service
*Believe me, of this I know, I to want to react when I see some of the
stuff that's going on "out there" (and sometimes fail and do react!), but it's not what I'm
called to and/or designed for...

5. The call to fight over this "God ordained democracy"? Really? Since when did God design
a democracy? He is over a KINGDOM...and I don't read anywhere that in HIS kingdom that
we get to vote on His decrees or laws. What we have here on earth is what we have on
earth, and it's my belief that we do the best we can, but truly...it's EARTH- NOT HEAVEN!

6. Can we just get over ourselves a little bit?...just a little bit? We think we are better than
other countries, people groups, leaders, people in general. Pride vs Humility? It's pretty
clear what the Holy One prefers and blesses...

I am blessed to be part of the body of believers, and I love and am thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ...but I am disappointed in us a larger group. I'm disappointed in myself as part of that group. So what do I do now? I pray...I listen...and I pray. I stop focusing on my disappointment in the "collective we", and I put my hope in Him alone who never disappoints, always forgives and will ultimately make all things new, holy, and just the way should be. That He will never make heaven on earth for us, but He can, will and does build heaven in our hearts so we can eventually share that with Him and each other forever...

Whew! Glad I got that off my chest...good that no one really reads this...it's my safe place to get it all out...forward I go!