Does God Trust Us?

A Gallup survey found that less than half of Americans can name the first book of the Bible (Genesis), only a third know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Billy Graham is a popular answer) and a quarter do not know what is celebrated at Easter (the resurrection, the foundational even of Christianity).  60% cannot name half of the ten commandments; 12% think Noah was married to Joan of Arc.  George Gallup, a leading Evangelical as well as a premier pollster, describes America as “a bunch of biblical illiterates”.*

Let me start this one off by stating that I love the United States of America.  In fact, while I am writing this, I am slamming down a huge slice of apple pie with a glass bottle of ice-cold Coca-Cola while rocking out to a little Bruce Springsteen ditty that you might have heard once or twice: “Born in the U.S.A.”.  You feel me.  And coincidentally enough, people have stopped by twice already at my picnic table to ask me if I was the Johnny America.  Sure, at first I thought that it was a little weird, but I just set down my apple pie, glanced over at my bright red Ford F-150, looked up at an eagle that happened to be soaring right above me and told them, with rockets red glare in my eyes, that today I might just be.

Alright, maybe this didn’t happen.  Maybe I am just sitting in silence on my couch as I type.  I do have an empty YooHoo can sitting on my coffee table.  That’s kind of Americana, right?  Oh well, what do my surroundings prove anyway?  I seriously do love this nation.  The United State of America is an amazing place.  Just think, the freedoms, the life that we enjoy today was a novel concept not that long ago.  It was not the norm.  And the idea that we can choose our own leaders?  Fantastic.  Had we not been born in this age and in this nation, the desire to even chase after dreams and goals could have been severely hampered.  The electoral system was a dramatic shift from the lifelong rulers that some still experience today.  I love it.  And for those men and women who have made or are making sacrifices to make this nation what it is today, I only have the utmost respect and admiration for you.  Do I feel blessed to be living in such a place?  Absolutely.

It is actually because of the love for my country that I write this article.  I don’t like where we are going.  I don’t like the trends that I see.  I don’t like the reports that I read.  And it has nothing to do with politics or wars.  Forget what the media likes to report; I see a greater issue at hand.  We are continuously moving further and further away from our God.

So let’s not talk about what bill should pass or which politician has the most charisma.  I get tired of that stuff.  Instead, let’s draw attention to the heart of those who claim to be Christians in America because, from what I see, we have become lazy and complacent with our faith.

Chew on this for a second:  Although South Korea has 250 million less people than the United States, they are the top exporters of world missionaries.*  Now for South Korea, that is awsome.  Don’t stop.  For the U.S., with all of our resources, that is pathetic.  We just don’t seem to care anymore.

I apologize if this article is coming out like an old school fire and brimstone sermon or if you are imagining me right now as some screaming televangelist.  I don’t mean to come across that way.  Maybe I am just frustrated with our hearts…with my heart. 

Maybe there is a little personal conviction in this.

Yep.  Definitely.

I feel like God has given us a great opportunity to do some amazing things for Him, like no other time or place in the history of this planet.  Has there ever been a time when a group of Christians have been so blessed with so many resources that could potentially change the world?  And with everything that we have been given what do we do?

We tithe a little and then go about our day, our comfortable day.

Jesus talks about how God chooses to which person or persons He is going to invest the most (Matthew 25:14-30).  Wisely, He gives more to those who give Him the best return.  His investment decisions are as investigative as it gets, not just looking at external factors, but at the heart.  His picks are impeccable.

And it’s is not just financial.  It’s technological.  It’s mechanical.  It’s communications.  It’s transportation.  It’s education.  It’s everything.  We are held responsible for everything that God had given us or given us the ability to do.  And we have everything that we need to dramatically impact the world for Jesus.

Except desire.

At times I get worried.  Do I give God the best return on what He has given me?  Doubtful.  Do I often find myself feeling like that I could be doing so much more with my life?  Frequently.  When I look at this nation, do I sense that I am the only one who feels like they could do or be more but opt for something a little more easy, a little more comfortable?  Unfortunately, yes.

I often wonder when God will stop blessing our nation?  Ignorantly, I hope never.  But there is no mandate for His blessings.  I can’t imagine that it will go on forever.  It never has for any nation.  We say “In God We Trust,” but does God trust us?  When will God consider the U.S. a loss, not to completely abandon us, but to shift resources elsewhere, where they are used more efficiently, more passionately?

I guess it all starts with me, wanting to do more with the resources that I have been given.  I guess it all starts with my heart, desiring to do whatever it takes to let people know that Jesus loves them. Then after me, maybe someone else.  Maybe something will start.  Maybe we could change the world after all.

Now if you will excuse me, I must go throw a football, or better yet, rope a calf.

*”The Battle of the Books.”  The Economist (December 22, 2007 - January 4, 2008).  pp. 80 - 82.