A Valley of Mistrust

I confess that the last two years has done little to elevate my faith in mankind; in fact, I have become somewhat of a skeptic, moving toward a cynic. And, I do suspect that I am not alone. For two years now and counting we have seen the opportunities presented by the questionably “origin-ed” virus. We would also see the damage imposed, self-imposed, brought upon humanity by inadequate leadership, and opportunists.

The present administration has done irreparable damage to the integrity of the government, but so have the others. The heart of unbelief is ravaging this land. Many in the educational system have proven incapable or unwilling to properly care for and guard our children. Many churches have failed to remain faithful in their commission. Private businesses have crossed so many ethical and moral lines. And, our media, arts and entertainment have reached new lows of integrity and degeneration. Sounds bad, I know–and it is. It reflects a moral decay, and human depravity which is persistently bubbling beneath the surface of mankind. COVID invited it to the surface.

From early on in this COVID I have stated that this was going to be a time of sifting, of separating the wheat from the chaff, the good from the bad. It would be a time of revelation when we would be exposed to the over-reach and failure of many once-trusted institutions. The virus allowed government to suspend constitutional rights, over reach through mandates, and continue to play the American public through “work arounds.”

It feels like a universal botch by the WHO, CDC, FBI, FDA, NAID, NIH, NAID, FOX (yes, even Fox. Even the stalwart conservative bastion of IV drip has been sullied over the years), NPR, MSNBC, HHS, IRS, CIA, CNN, DOJ, and the Press; all are tainted. CRT doesn’t help. Our courts and their decisions have been inconsistent, and disappointing. Pretty well, all are agencies of distrust, blatant agendas and propaganda. Let’s toss in the IOC. NFL. MLB. NBA. Nobel. Pulitzer. And Big Pharma who wants to hide COVID data for 55 years. Yes, all have lost their luster, and so, much faith has been lost in the underpinnings of our civilization, and perhaps, our future.

I supposed some would like to climb to the moral high spot overlooking Nineveh and watch the fallout, but our Christian witness should not allow us to do that. Lost trust is hard to regain, but apathy, and anarchy is never a preferred solution to broken government. Our God is a God of restoration, and though this world will only be fully restored in His timing­–we still have a witness in the “here and now.” 

A Christian worldview would not, and should not be content to “watch Rome burn.” We realize that there is no perfect government, or form of government upon this Earth. All are broken as they are comprised of broken people. Thus, they have the potential weakness of depravity, even those given the divine sanction of authority. Still, we are at a low point of confidence. So, what do we do? Skepticism, even cynicism is not the remedy to a broken nation. 

Again, Christianity is about restoration, and if ever there was a time to restore our broken country it is now. Those in business, education, government, media and the Church need to be held accountable. Some should have the integrity to step down; some will need to be properly removed. Yet, that is only part of the process.

In many ways we believers are like Abraham, “By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:9-10). Abraham was called to his promised land, and yet was looking, expectantly toward a better country.

In many ways we are like the Israelites sent to Babylon, to be exiles. Yet, we are exiles in our own country.

As good and great as the United States was/is/or will be–it is not our forever home. And like those in Babylon, we build houses, plant gardens, eat produce, and build families. We may not have much in the way of governmental oversight. But we do have a light, we do have an influence upon this land. 

Our privilege is to “Seek the welfare of the city where I [Yahweh] have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7).

Like it or not, broken as it is, this is our country for now. This is our mission field.

In Philippians 3:20, Paul assures us of the better country for us, one in which we are already citizens. It is described found in Hebrews 12:22-24, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” … a Someday.

We begin with truth. We embrace integrity. We move in grace. We communicate God’s good order. And we stand resolute. Foremost, we are ambassadors for Christ.