It isn’t about the president.

It isn’t about the congress or the Supreme Court.
         Although my vote does count and I should cast it every chance I get intelligently and in light of the scriptures.

It isn’t about Hollywood, New York City or Nashville.

It isn’t about political correctness, sensitivity training or the national mood.

It isn’t about recent trends, the latest fad or the most contemporary thinking.

I don’t need to rethink every biblical thought in light of the newest scripture twisting “authority.”

When the Bible says, “In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.” Well, quite frankly, that’s good enough for me.  I don’t need to wonder whether God would approve of a gay marriage.  (Call me old-fashioned)

But, even so, it isn’t about gay people wanting our government to permit them to be married, or others wanting sanction for the killing of the pre-born, or still others demanding the all references to God and His Christ be removed from public display.

In fact, it isn’t even about our founding fathers and their adherence to biblical principles in the framing of our government or about those who fought to keep us free. 

It isn’t about the “good ole days” and “what has happened to America?”

I don’t think it about any of that.

I think it’s all about me…and you…and now, right this minute, today!
It’s about, What am I doing?  How am I helping? Who am I influencing?

What godly righteousness is being reflected in my life?  Who is seeing in me the countenance of Christ?  Where are my funds being spent? What priorities am I exhibiting and how do they honestly affect my daily walk?

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, who are called by my name shall 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 sand will heal their land.” (Emphasis added)

So, I can lament that those in our government are not following the Savior; that those in authority have abused it; that my “representatives” are depraved and unworthy of office not only biblically but constitutionally.  But, to what end?  Where lies the blame? Upon whose shoulders is the burden?

It is you and I dear Christian.  It is upon our knees and through our witness and in our faithfulness to our heavenly call that the answers to our nation’s and yea, the world’s problems lie.

It is our God Almighty in answer to our earnest pleas who, and who alone is able to right the ship and bring righteousness to the unrighteous and truth to those blinded by the enemy.


Will we answer the call?  Will we respond?  Will revival begin with me or will I wait for someone else to do the heavy lifting. 

 1.    Am I a soldier of the cross? A follower of the Lamb? And shall I fear to own His cause or blush to speak His name?
2.    Must I be carried to the skies of flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?
3.    Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?
4.    Sure I must fight if I would reign – increase my courage, Lord! I’ll bear the toil; endure the pain, supported by Thy Word!

 May we exert far greater effort in making a difference by winning our neighbor, teaching our children and loving the lost than we do in bemoaning the mess others are making of our nation and our world.

What did I do today that will last for eternity?

So, recently, Denise and I were heading towards Swayzee from North Marion via Troy Avenue when I saw a dead cat in the road.  “That’s so sad” I thought to myself.  I am a genuine animal lover and just hated to see that.  In keeping with my usual well-planned life, I soon found myself back on Troy Avenue heading back towards North Marion to finish what I had forgotten to do earlier.  As I passed by the same spot I noticed that the cat was not indeed dead but injured.
 
Now I had a problem.  What to do?  Many thoughts passed through my mind including simply driving past and running over the cat myself to “put it out of its misery.”  Yes, I am willing to admit that was one of the options I considered.  I was not looking for a project of mercy and not anxious to spend time, effort or money on this pathetic looking ball of black fur on the street.  “I don’t want a cat!” I said out loud as I argued with myself about what to do.  We lost our little dog, Coco last fall after 16 years and Denise and I agreed we were just fine without a pet at this time.  It was just too hard to say goodbye.

But, I couldn’t just leave it there could I?  I HAD to do something.  Having the soft heart (soft head?) that I do, I stopped to see what was up.  As I approached and was noticed by the cat it began to mew loudly while looking in my direction, seemingly as if it was thankful that I was coming.  While obviously injured and dazed, it was not fearful of me and responded to my approach.    It obviously wasn’t feral and seemed to really be glad to see me.  I petted it a bit and sort of looked it over.  It was bleeding from the mouth with a broken tooth and there was some blood on the street but not too much.  The cat was able to move on his own which was a good sign so I thought there was a pretty good chance it could recover.

So, I went back to the car and found a blanket in the trunk, wrapped the critter up and took him to the nearest vet.  I explained that I found this feline on the street and was hoping they could see how badly hurt it was.  I was immediately informed that I would have to pay for any care that they would provide.  (Groan) By now I was committed to seeing this through.  I had already made my choice when I stopped.  This injured and helpless animal was going to be my responsibility.  I wasn’t going to “finish it off,” nor was I just going to pass it by.  “Okay, I understand.”  So they looked it over and thought it might not be hurt too badly.  “A couple of days and we’ll know for sure.”

To the vet’s credit, when I saw the bill I knew they hadn’t charged me full price but had given me a break.  I didn’t mind paying it.  It was an interesting thing I noticed within myself.  When I went to get cat food and such, I found that I was getting the really high quality stuff.  Although not a conscious thought at first, it is as if I were saying, “Why would I go to the trouble of scraping this cat off the street only now to give it cheap care?”  I wanted it to have the best.  Why would I go to all the time, trouble and expense to save its life and mistreat it now?  That would be just ridiculous. I might just as well have left it in the street.   

I hadn’t been looking for a pet.  It wasn’t meeting any need I had.  I had no reason except for common decency to do anything for it.  And yet I found myself having great affection for it.  I had chosen to save its life and now I was so glad I did.  As it turned out “it” was a “he” and a neutered male at that, certainly someone’s pet at some time though now apparently abandoned. All efforts to locate an owner were fruitless.  Someone living in the area said it was common for people to abandon unwanted pets there.  He was all black except for some white on his chest and four white feet.  So, “Sox” came home with me and has taken up residence with Denise and I.

I notice something almost right away.  He pretty much followed me wherever I went.  He wanted to be right at my feet.  When I was gone, he slept under my chair.  I asked Denise, “Do you think he kind of ‘get’s it?’ Do you think he has any understanding what was done for him?”  She and I seem to think that he does.  Now, he runs to the door when I come home and greets me. (Anybody know a cat that does that?) 

I couldn’t help but see many parallels between this experience and that which we have with our Savior.

         The Lord didn’t have any need for us to fulfill.
         We were utterly helpless, broken and in grave danger.
         He chose to take full responsibility for us, carry us in His arms and pay the price for our
         healing.
         He gives us His best, loves us unconditionally and provides for our every need.
         He loves us because He chooses to love us not because He saw in us some basic goodness
         that deserved His sacrifice.

So what about me?  Do I desire to be right at the feet of my Savior as Sox always wants to be at mine?  Do I want His nearness, consistent nurturing and attention as Sox wants mine? Am I contented in His presence or do I tend to run after other things, possibly with a measure of gratitude only and occasional forays into surface relationship? 

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

May I be wise enough to choose that good part!