Phyllis
03-26-2003, 06:24 AM
I received this article in my mail today and just wanted to share it with you all as it speaks volumes I think, of what Jesus would do and I believe applies to any of us who love the Lord Jesus.
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I am an American citizen, and I cherish the tarnished history of my country. Yes, I said "tarnished." This is not a perfect country. At various times in our history, we have tolerated slavery, bullied nations with our "big stick," and been overly selfish with resources we must share. There are other flaws in my nation's history -- as in my family's history. Just as I love my family in spite of its flaws, so do I love my country.
It is easy for me to pray for this country's leaders, institutions, and citizens. We are a nation of freedom, noble principles, and decent people. Our principles and people work incessantly to right our society's wrongs. Racism, arrogance, greed are still with us. So are the constant reforms we seek via social justice projects, the checks-and-balances of a political system that seeks broad citizen participation, and national and personal generosity far surpassing that of any other nation.
The majority of the world envies America and would love to be here -- even those who burn our flag, protest our policies, or call us "the Great Satan." They know full well that they and their children would have opportunities here they can never have in their places of poverty, oppression, and meager hope.
I am a world citizen, and I owe it to the people of Iraq, North Korea, and every other country to see them as my neighbors. Their lives are as valuable as ours. Their rights are as precious. Their autonomy as worthy of respect.
We have an obligation to one another. We must share Planet Earth and its limited resources. We must not be blind to one another in crisis times. We owe it to one another to respect our differences. And on occasion we are obliged to protect and liberate persons who are vulnerable to tyrants such as Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Osama bin Laden, or Saddam Hussein. For the lack of unanimous sentiment on how to oppose certain evils, we are not entitled to avert our eyes, pretend not to see what is staring us in the face, and leave oppressed people to suffer. That would not only be cowardice but a vile failure to love our neighbors.
I am a kingdom citizen, and my ultimate loyalty is to the kingdom of God and his righteousness. God alone has answers to our imponderables. He alone sees the end from the beginning. He alone can bring righteousness out of chaos and make the desert of the human heart bloom with fruits of peace and joy and love.
In this time of crisis for America and the world, let us pray for the establishment of a just peace. Let us obey the biblical mandate to pray not only for ourselves and our country's leaders but for our enemies as well. And may our essential and controlling sentiment be that of King David: "Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7, NRSV).
-Rubel Shelly
You can measure your love for God by your obedience to His Word.
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I am an American citizen, and I cherish the tarnished history of my country. Yes, I said "tarnished." This is not a perfect country. At various times in our history, we have tolerated slavery, bullied nations with our "big stick," and been overly selfish with resources we must share. There are other flaws in my nation's history -- as in my family's history. Just as I love my family in spite of its flaws, so do I love my country.
It is easy for me to pray for this country's leaders, institutions, and citizens. We are a nation of freedom, noble principles, and decent people. Our principles and people work incessantly to right our society's wrongs. Racism, arrogance, greed are still with us. So are the constant reforms we seek via social justice projects, the checks-and-balances of a political system that seeks broad citizen participation, and national and personal generosity far surpassing that of any other nation.
The majority of the world envies America and would love to be here -- even those who burn our flag, protest our policies, or call us "the Great Satan." They know full well that they and their children would have opportunities here they can never have in their places of poverty, oppression, and meager hope.
I am a world citizen, and I owe it to the people of Iraq, North Korea, and every other country to see them as my neighbors. Their lives are as valuable as ours. Their rights are as precious. Their autonomy as worthy of respect.
We have an obligation to one another. We must share Planet Earth and its limited resources. We must not be blind to one another in crisis times. We owe it to one another to respect our differences. And on occasion we are obliged to protect and liberate persons who are vulnerable to tyrants such as Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Osama bin Laden, or Saddam Hussein. For the lack of unanimous sentiment on how to oppose certain evils, we are not entitled to avert our eyes, pretend not to see what is staring us in the face, and leave oppressed people to suffer. That would not only be cowardice but a vile failure to love our neighbors.
I am a kingdom citizen, and my ultimate loyalty is to the kingdom of God and his righteousness. God alone has answers to our imponderables. He alone sees the end from the beginning. He alone can bring righteousness out of chaos and make the desert of the human heart bloom with fruits of peace and joy and love.
In this time of crisis for America and the world, let us pray for the establishment of a just peace. Let us obey the biblical mandate to pray not only for ourselves and our country's leaders but for our enemies as well. And may our essential and controlling sentiment be that of King David: "Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7, NRSV).
-Rubel Shelly
You can measure your love for God by your obedience to His Word.