The other night I had a dream. It was a dream about my beloved country, the United States of America. It was a bittersweet dream…
It was bittersweet because it was also a dream about me…perhaps a nightmare of sorts. It was an uncomfortable dream that woke me up to reality while I slept comfortably. It was…well, the best way to describe it is just to recount it.
Four weeks ago, Barack Obama was re-elected for another term of service as my country’s president. Four more years as our Chief Executive. For me, four more years of perceived hopelessness based on empty words that drove Obama’s campaign forward.
In my dream, I saw the future of America. It wasn’t pretty. It was downright ugly. But to my surprise, I found out that it wasn’t Obama’s fault…and I also realized that it was not only the future USA, but the present USA.
But in my ignorance I still cried out to God and said, “Why God, why? Why did you put Barack Obama back in office? I know that you desire for him to be there, but why?!”
“God, you know everything that Obama stands for…why him?”
As I surveyed the bleak sight of my country I wept and continued to ask questions…and I received answers…answers I wasn’t expecting.
“God, we are $16 trillion in debt. We’re selling ourselves to other countries.”
God replied, “You live in a beautiful house and drive three luxurious cars that you don’t own because you’re taking out more loans than you will ever have money to repay.”
“God, what about freedom of speech? We can’t pray in our public schools anymore.”
God pointed out, “Why does it matter? You don’t pray in secret either.”
“Well, God, what about Your Word? References to Scripture are being removed from buildings and schools and books…”
God said, “When was the last time you opened one of the six Bibles that you own?”
“What about healthcare God? I can’t afford it anymore!”
I felt as if He smirkingly said, “But yet you have money to overeat, four times a day?”
“God, look how many marriages end in divorce! 50%! It’s only going to get worse.”
God said, “You have mistreated your own wife for the last 5 months, and she doesn’t know if you still love her.”
“But God, what about all the babies that are aborted! They aren’t even given a chance to live!”
I almost felt as if God was weeping along with me, if that was possible: “Lift up your eyes, and look at the harvest! Many people are dying and going to hell, but you are doing nothing to give them a chance to live!”
“But…God…I’m concerned about the future of my children. What country will they live in?”
After a brief pause in which God allowed me to ponder what I had just said, He replied, “So am I. But you won’t listen.”
It was then that the full reality of the situation hit me, like a coffin slamming shut. I woke up, and my pillow was drenched in my tears, but I had no strength or desire to get out of my bed.
The problem with me and my country is that we have focused on government more than we have focused on God. How can I be angry at a president that leads my country in the same way that I live my life?
Yes, there are problems with my country…but there are also problems with me, and I need to start there.
“Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:5 NKJV
Four weeks ago I took a seminary module at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary. One of the “perks” of a module is a less formal dress code than both the college and seminary. So when I went to class that week, I was the “lucky” guy that didn’t have to wear a tie to class.