The Line in the Sand
1“O (America),” says the LORD, “If you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. 2Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. The you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.” (Jeremiah 4:1-2)
Two weeks ago, when the Palisades fires were decimating the LA area and snow was falling in Atlanta, Georgia, I thought to myself, ‘wow, what a tangible example of the division in America’, but that was in reference to the extreme weather. However, yesterday, I saw the starkest contrast play out in real time for this country. For many in America, they came together to celebrate a truly Christian leader: a man who stood up for the poor, the outcasts, those that were discriminated against since this nation was first created. Then, on the contrast, others celebrated the return to the most powerful seat of the free world of the person who has done the exact opposite since he first came into power.
In case you forgot, yesterday was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A hallowed day across this country when we reflect on all MLK did to fight for justice and equality towards people of all color. And he did so by leading the most powerful, effective, nation-changing, non-violent resistance in America’s history. I worked the MLK parade in Savannah, Georgia. It was bitterly cold, which kept the crowds thin, but the representation within the parade was impressive. 289 entries participated in the parade, with many of them holding up signs with quotations from MLK. My favorite quote from Dr. King is:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
But this year, the words that really spoke to me from the great Pastor, Doctor, Nobel Peace Laureate, Civil Rights Leader, World-Changer were these:
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”
Yesterday, on the National Day of Remembrance for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, our new president, in one of his many acts of repulsive executive orders, ended diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the Federal Government. He pardoned 1,500 insurrectionists that stormed the US Capitol four years ago, including the home-grown extremist terrorist that led Oath Keepers‘ and Proud Boys. And in the most ironic move, he stated he would end Biden’s electric vehicle mandate, which seems in stark contrast to the goal of his biggest fan: Elon Musk. Speaking of Mr. Musk, if you haven’t seen him giving a haunting Nazi-salute to the crowd, you are probably watching the wrong news channel. The evil that has just taken control of our country is not even attempting to hide their agenda. Our new president could not even put his hand on the Bible when he was sworn in. He launched his own MEME crypto coin that I am sure many made a pretty penny as the value soared 300% before tanking today. He has promised to increase fossil fuel drilling, and burning, as global warming continues to wreak havoc around the world, instead of continuing to push America toward green, safe, renewable energy, we are taking a thousand steps in the wrong direction.
If I were scared enough to passively accept the evil that has begun in this nation, I would be denying the fire that the Holy Spirit has breathed into my life. If I accepted this evil without protesting it, as the great Dr. MLK said above, I would really be cooperating with it, and I refuse to do that. I am not afraid to stand up for what is right. And as Dr. King also said:
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
I am currently reading the Book of Jeremiah. No other book has spoken to me as Jeremiah’s prophecies are speaking to me now. Jeremiah is a foreboding book about the incoming punishment for Judah and Israel from the Babylonian Empire for their refusal to follow their end of the covenant between Israel nations and God. I will be sharing the words of Jeremiah in the coming weeks every chance I get. I have many verses highlighted that speak to this season of American history, as so many in this country lift this president up to a level of idolatry and put their affiliation to a political party above living out the mission of Jesus Christ. As yesterday clearly demonstrated, there are two Americas in this country right now: one that follows the example of true, Christian men like Martin Luther King, Jr., and everyone else. Jesus drew the line in the sand. Which side are you standing on?
Common Sense Reborn 