The inaugural honeymoon is already over for many conservative Christians. President Barack Obama included "non-believers" in his speech and the belief is mounting that he will roll back conservative programs former President Bush implemented. This is a major cause of concern, prayer and fear.
Conservative-minded Christians are bothered because arm-twisting society to convert to God's ways serves as the model for change. But decades of cultural wars have not yielded widespread revival -- the kind of spiritual joy where modern-day evangelists can stand in Times Square and watch people flee their offices and cars and subway seats and beg to know Jesus -- because we missed the notes of a forceful prophetic voice steeped in love. Many Christians have been unable to address the culture without rancor.
If ineffective, religious practice renders itself useless. If of little power, it should be questioned. Elijah proved that when he offered the prophets of Baal a chance to prove their god was real. Unfortunately, Baal did not show up. God did. Will we not let God show himself today through our lives? When we fall more in love with the Father of our souls, the atmosphere changes because our obedience dispels darkness. Possibilities increase. Our ability to influence the world grows exponentially because the world can see God in us, instead of enduring our sermonic chatter.
God's Spirit sweeps through our hearts and then soars through the culture. Strongholds of self-will melt beneath the onslaught of God's love. For me, it's like falling for my husband again because of the smallest, most affectionate act. This is especially true when I believe he has annoyed me and I want to cling to my right to be irritated! My selfishness eases. His tender service reminds me of why I said "I do."
"How I love this place," says Dr. Peter Marshall in the 1955 film, "A Man Called Peter." In the movie, the chaplain to the U.S. Senate and his family gaze at the nation's capital at night.
"For all that isn't quite right about it, think of all that is," he continues. "You can feel it beating. A pulse of liberty for the world. I'm so grateful to have been a small part of it."
I would have to check Catherine Marshall's book, A Man Called Peter: The Story of Peter Marshall, to determine whether he spoke those actual words. They caught my attention as I watched it last night on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, for my third or fourth time. Although many Americans love to describe Marshall's era as "the good old days," many issues in society displeased God then, as they do now. Nevertheless, the scene exalts hope.
All is not quite right in America. But with Christ in us, the hope of glory, think of all that it is. And what will be...if Christians surrender to him.
Judy Howard Ellis

