Let It Begin in Me
The last week has been a tragic time in our nation. Some have compared it to the traumatic days after 9/11 when, in that time of fear and uncertainty, the people of America came together in unity. Church worship services were filled, and there were prayer gatherings on every side. In time, that fervor faded and people went back to life as usual.
Of course, we all hope that the events last week will bring about some lasting changes in the rhetoric and overall divisive climate in America. So far we are not seeing much unity, to say the least. Many Christians are hoping that the Lord will use this to bring revival to our nation. That is my prayer.
But here's the reality: our nation is not "them," but "us." And more specifically, it's me. If I want to see unity in these so-called United States, if I want the Lord to bring spiritual awakening to our land, then the first place I need to start in my prayers is to pray that God changes me.
Which brings to mind a principle I have mentioned before that I often have to reiterate when counseling, especially when it includes relational issues involving other people. And usually, when there's only one of the parties there--often a wife, or a husband dealing with marital strife--I will remind them of this principle up front.
The conversation usually goes something like this. I will say, "The only person we can work on here is yourself. Let's not talk about the other person, and their problems and their issues. They're not here, so it won't do any good to talk about them. The only person we have any control over here is you, and besides, you are only responsible for your actions anyway. It may feel good for you to unload on the other person, who is not here to defend themselves, but it won't do any good or make any progress. There clearly are changes that need to be made, or you wouldn't be here, but the only person you can change here is you. So, let's see how we can change you."
You may have heard that conversation first-hand once or twice, but either way you can understand how it may be frustrating if you came looking for someone to join you in blaming the other person for the problems they are causing. And in reality, the other person may truly be the one who is at fault, but once again, if they are not there, how is it going to help to talk about it, if we can't fix them anyway? You have to focus on what, or who, you can change.
Which brings me back to my prayer for our nation, and where we are these days. I can't fix everybody else, from either side of the cultural divide. And no matter how misguided I may believe their moral or political stance may be, throwing stones at others is of no use, whether it be on social media or in my privacy of my own prayer life. In fact, it is rather condescending of me to suggest that I have it all right and they have it all wrong, whoever "they" is. Blaming others for our nation's political and moral woes never does anybody any good. Either way, I can't now, nor could I ever, fix them. And I'm not responsible for them anyway.
So, as I pray for America, I am praying for myself. For though I am only 1 in about 344 million, I am the only America I have control over. As I ask the Lord for brokenness and repentance in the land, I must look in the mirror and see where I have fallen short in pride and sin, and come to the Lord for renewal and restoration. As I pray for a quickening of heart, there's no better place to begin than right where I'm sitting. As the old hymn used to say, "Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me."
I hope you'll join me in praying for our nation, and begin right where you are. Who knows what the Lord is going to do, beginning in my life and in your life, in our church, in our community. And remember, amidst the heartache and chaos and division of our nation, Jesus still reigns as King of kings, and He can be trusted.
May the Lord bless each of you with His grace and peace. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
--Pastor Ken
