Turning to God
June 2, 2008
by Susan Lucas
Lately, I have been thinking a lot. Well, okay I usually think a lot. I tend to examine things and try to get to the root of problems and situations. I guess I’ve been analyzing things more now that it is an election year. It is really disheartening to me to again seem to have no candidate who clearly reflects my views. Seems like there are extremes all around and I am left wondering, does this reflect America as a whole or do people really feel un-represented like I do?
That brings me to another point. There appears to be so much dishonesty that’s accepted nowadays from un-believable sniper attacks to attending a church for years and not hearing what the pastor is really saying. Worst of all, this has become accepted behavior. As if, we could somehow be mistaken about such things. Come on, who are we fooling? Also, recently gay marriage was approved in California and Governor Schwarzenegger, who previously opposed this action, has vowed to not fight it. In historian Will Durant’s book on the decline of Rome he writes” A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has first destroyed itself from within. The essential cause of Rome’s decline lay in her people and her morals.”
While Rome rose to greatness, it assumed it would remain great. When Rome’s citizens lived in prosperity, Rome was crumbling inside. Will we let moral decay destroy our country? From the headlines to the televisions in our homes, where are we headed? The answer to these problems ultimately is not a political one but a spiritual one.
To that end, I am brought to self reflection. What are we as Christians hiding? What do we try to hide by Christian slang and church activities? What are we scared to reveal? What are we trying to cover up? Before, we point at everyone else, let’s make sure our own hearts are pure. When God sees the moral breakdown of a nation, He points to His people: “If my people who are called by my name.…”
So what should we as God’s people be doing?
The first response should be to humble ourselves. To come out from under the cloaks of self righteousness and fancy talk and turn to God. We have to admit we are all sinners. To portray ourselves as righteous and without fault only serves to cause further division .
The second response is prayer. If Christians will pray and seek God, we can heal this nation. Have we just gotten too busy as a nation to seek him? Not just on Sunday, but in carpool, at our children’s ballgames, in our homes and at our work.
Third, we need to repent. To make a change, a radical turn in our lives. We need to look at our own lives in comparison to God’s commands and change anything that is not in line with God’s word. God has told us what we need to do. Let’s get honest with God and ourselves. I’m ready, will you join me?
2 Chronicles 7:14 “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land”(NLT).
Susan, your article really spoke to my heart. I had never looked at 2Chronicles 7:14 in that light, that, although there is much corruption and evil in this world, God first tells His own people to humble themselves and pray and seek His face in order that He would heal this nation. It’s so easy to think the problem lies with everyone else, may we all examine our own hearts each day and ask God to create pure hearts in us. Thank you! – Maria