Posted on by wrote in Jovan.

Christian Country

March 10, 2013

First of all to those of you who read this (Drew) I’d like to apologize on procrastinating and being late.

Today I had the privilege of attending Buckhead Church, and hearing a message from Andy Stanley. He had a number of very poignant and pertinent things to say regarding relationships and how to build strong Christian foundations. While the message was to be applied to romantic relationships, I do hope to work on applying some key aspects to my life as a whole. I know one thing he recommended was praying with your significant other, out loud, on a regular basis. I’ve laid out a challenge for myself. I hope to reach out each week and pray with a friend or acquaintance.

In any case one of my personal challenges with Christianity has been understooding how my relationship with God could possibly be the same as the relationship our country professes with God. Too often my pastors would speak to our foundations as a God fearing, Christian nation, without ever critiquing the current state of affairs. I intend not to go speak to the past, but instead to speak to the vision of the country I hope we will one day become.

James 3:13

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

 

This verse got me thinking not only about America, but about what all my best friends, closest companions, favorite organizations, and bests jobs all have in common. Even those organizations that don’t necessarily have Christianity as their core tenet do a couple of things

  1. They are humble and gracious in victory and defeat
  2. They are peace-loving and look to enrich all those who come to touch them
  3. They are considerate of the individuals and groups whose lives they touch
  4. They are submissive to the greater good of humanity
  5. They are full of mercy

At our best these are all qualities America shows, I hope I too can learn to grow into these.

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