I layout the story above to draw a parallel to our homework. We were assigned by birth to be citizens of the most blessed nation to ever exist. We were given the formula by which this great nation was formed, even given written documents with the answers given particular variables. All we need do is follow the equation and we know the answer.
Typical Sunday morning sitting in church I was convicted that we don't have a leadership problem or a party problem or even a money problem in this country. What we have is a heart problem. There is study after study that conclude Americans die from heart disease more than any other disease. I submit that our country suffers from the same disease.
We are studying Philippians, which is a must read for those who desire to "save" a nation. Two weeks ago the message was Phil 1:1-11,Koinonia- “fellowship, sharing in common, communion.” I found this particularly interesting since our fore fathers often referenced fellowship and sharing in common or "the common good". I know from their writings that the fore fathers of this nation but incredible emphasis on scripture and prayer. They were drastically concerned with integrity and morality.
Last week our discussion continued Phil 1:27-2:4, Unity. Verse 27 reads "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy..." The five words- "conduct your selves in a manner worthy" come from the word politico, where we get our word politics. Ummm makes one wonder. The founders of this nation went to great pains in the documents (formula) they left behind to emphasize unity. Something about "We the people in order to form a more perfect union". They wanted everyone to play nice in the sandbox. That is why individual liberties were (are) so important. In a free country Sally can worship who, what, where and how she wants, and Sam can do what he wants and they can still be neighbors. Now that is not to say there shouldn't be boundaries. I think we all agree we need laws, we need order, we even need a government. What we don't need is a bunch of fussing n fightin over things that no one is ever going to "convince" the other.
Today was Phil 2:5-11 Humility. How Christ's incarnation wat the ultimate act of humility. Christ left absolute exhalation for lowly humanity. He waived His divine rights in an act of utter humility to fulfil the plan (formula) of God. This was the proverbial straw for me on the political front. Then I remembered something that I read on my twitter about "you can't change actions until you change hearts".
See that is the disease, we are trying to "change" people from the outside in, when we know that the only way to truly change someone is from the inside out. Our message at the Tea Party was one of unity, being neighbors, getting to know one another and masterminding together in an effort to coelese. That message hasn't changed. For me it has even become more evident that the only way to "save" America, is to change Americans, and that can only be done from the inside out.
Tonight during my reading time I came across the story of "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams. The story is about stuffed animals in a playroom that talk to each other.
"What is real?" asked the Rabbit on day. "Does is mean having thinkgs that
buzz inside and a stick-out handle?"
" Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you when
a child loves you for a long long time, not just to paly with , but really loves you, then you
become real".
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are real you
don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once like being wound up?" he asked,"or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. That's whya it donesn't
often happen to people who break easliy, or have sharp edges, or have to be carefully kept.
Generally by the time you are real, most of your hair has been lvoed off, your eyes drop off
and you get loose in the joints, and very shabby. But these thinkgs don't matter at all,because
once you are real you can't be ugly , except to people who dont' understand."
May we all be loved like an adored teddy bear of a precious child, and may we all love each other as Christ loved us in His ultimate act of humility.
God's Speed
