Friday, February 20, 2009

Faith, Family and the Future

In recent weeks a number of troubling statements have been made by the new political team in Washington. Of all the different things said there is one that has stood out to me every day since I first heard it. Our new president asked his countrymen to join in remaking America. My first thought was remake it into what image? To remake means "to make again or anew." So the question still stands, with all of the sweeping changes we are being asked as the greatest nation on earth to remake-- "again or anew?"

In part of his inaugural address President Obama said the following: "At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents." While this statement sounds good it actually differs from the views of many of our founding fathers who saw the greatness of this nation resting not in the government or the constitution alone, but rather in something else. James Madison, the fourth president clearly articulated the opinion of his time: "We've staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us…to govern ourselves according to the commandments of God. The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this constitution is founded."

It is hard to understand how being "faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and (staying) true to our founding documents" equates with remaking America. As each day goes by for the new administration more and more people seem to be awakening to the realization that we are headed on a different course with potentially dangerous consequences ahead. People are worried about their bank accounts, homes and investment portfolios. There is good reason to be, but there is also something of far greater value at stake: our faith, families and future.

When the founding fathers signed the Declaration they did it on faith. Faith, that this was the right thing to do for this new fledgling country. They had faith in their God and His Word as they clearly understood that the future of all they held dear now hung in the balance. Their actions that day cost many of them lands, fortunes and family.

Most of us in America have become so accustomed to the good life that all we really care about is peace at any cost. Like our founding fathers we are facing a time when we must decide what we believe and what is really important to us. It is clear that by far the majority in Washington are out of touch with reality and common sense. They have and will again sacrifice all for a "mess of pottage." Yesterday on a local talk radio station here in the valley someone called in and said "if we can't trust the government then what do we do?" Perhaps it's time to once again place our faith in the God of our founding fathers. Our cushy American lifestyle is on the precipice of being remade in an image that none of may recognize when they're done.

I believe our founders believed in three key principles:

1. "Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

2. The one eternal thing we bring into this world and leave when we go is our family.

3. Our future is not dependent upon a politician or a stimulus package, it is solely in the hands of God and our choice to obey or not obey Him.

What choices are you willing to make for your faith, family and future?

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