Reflections of Liberty and What Lies Ahead

On Wednesday, June 29, I was privileged to take part in the Decision America prayer rally led by Franklin Graham in Olympia, Washington. As Franklin addressed the 5000+ folks who attended, he was bold in asserting no confidence in either the Democratic or Republican parties to bring hope to the nation. The strong call was for God to intervene, and for the people of God to repent from sin and turn back to our Father for His will to be done.

In spite of all this, the clear sense I had was that the focus of the prayers of many American believers is really for the restoration of the “good old days” of American prosperity and dominance, rather than what Jesus had in His view when He told us to pray that the Kingdom of God would be established on the earth as it is in Heaven. 

I am so grateful to live in America, and to have had the liberties that citizenship in this nation has granted me. But the Spirit of God calls us to a higher allegiance to His Kingdom, to His ways, to the seeking of His righteousness SO THAT He might have His way for the glory of His own Name. Peace and prosperity in any given nation is a by-product of seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, not the focal point of our prayers. 

Like most Americans, I am deeply troubled by the political, economic, and social upheaval that is current in our world. Like you, I want things to settle down and come once again to peace. However, the simple fact of history is that God has always used the shaking of human foundations to drive His people to the place He wants them – seeking His face, walking in His ways, pursuing His Kingdom as His righteousness above all else. 

Though it is uncomfortable (and perhaps unpopular in American Christian circles) to say this, God’s priority is not the comfort zone of the American Dream. God’s priority is the exaltation of Jesus Christ as King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He is moving all things toward that goal, and the shaking of current systems is the primary indicator that He is actively pursuing the dream of His own heart – that the knowledge of His glory would cover the earth like a mighty ocean.

My prayer is that our hearts will be turned once again to His will and His ways, so that we can escape the prison of our comfort zones, and again walk with Jesus in the pursuit of the Father’s glory.