From My Perspective - - -

The pendulum of time and the cycle of life is a reality and a factor one should consider more often than not in terms of life and how it can/should be lived. One of the major issues of our time is that people who are the so-called “leaders” in government and business don’t seem to get it in terms of the frustrations being expressed or of the protests that are taking place. There is an apparent insensitivity by those in “high places” who seem to have a deaf ear to any concern. Those who dare to challenge the trends or actions of government are castigated (criticized or reprimanded severely) and besmirched (to detract from the honor or luster of). There was an observation made regarding the Republican Candidates for President in terms of where they rate in the Polls. The comment made regarding some of the candidates was: “at first, they are ignored until they gain some traction, then they are mocked for their views, and finally – if they are surpassing anyone who is the supposed leader – they are attacked.” That is quite a summary – ignored, mocked, attacked! Is that what we have become as a nation of people?

The vacuum and void can be addressed best by wise choices being made during a primary or the ultimate election. If one is concerned, that one should become involved in the process and try to be or make a difference. One of the other choices is by means of a formal and orderly Protest. The politicians would display wisdom if they would listen rather than speak and/or demean. Corporate leaders should display awareness to the concerns of people who are unemployed and seeing job availability trickle steadily to other countries while manufacturing facilities in this nation are closed. When the masses of people begin to sense that no one is listening and that no one really cares, their frustrations begin to bubble up within until it spills over – currently, it is being expressed by Protest Rallies across the nation. The uniqueness of these protests this year is that both the “right” and the “left” are expressing their frustrations with calls for change regarding the way things are and the way in which the business of this nation is conducted both politically and corporately. If these protests continue to be met with a deaf ear or a manipulated reason for them, what will be the next step or steps in terms of the vacuum and void of our times.

There is another segment of our culture that needs to be part of this equation – it is called The Church. People have grown frustrated with the “church” and their protest is seen by their decision to just not attend. While some would claim that “the Lord is blessing them with growth”, the bottom line is what bonafide or credible difference does the “church” really have in the lives of people and our culture as a whole. Bonafide means: “done in good faith; without deception or fraud; authentic.” Credible means: “capable of being believed; worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy.” Whether or not the “church” is functioning today in a bonafide and credible way, one can best gauge it by the results. You may have received an email (meant as humor?) regarding a prayer about the President referencing Psalm 109:8, “May his days be few; may another take his office!”Similarly, another verse circulated to define the political culture of our day is Ecclesiastes 10:2, “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.”

More on point is the place and value of Prayer. James 5 references two Old Testament men – Job and Elijah as examples of patience and prevailing. Read James 5:13-18 – a paragraph that usually has a title – “The Prayer of Faith.” Take special note of verse 16: “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Healing is not just of the body, but also for the nation. Consider this verse with II Chronicles 7:14, “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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” What has God promised to heal if His people humble themselves and pray and seek His face? He will hear and forgive and heal their land! Do you believe this truth from God’s Word? Have you been implementing it in your prayer life? Have you prayed for the nation? Do you have a daily Prayer time – or is this a vacuum and void area in your life? Consider these things with me!