Many things come to mind when I ask or am asked that question and I’m sure that each one has a different perspective and idea.  As I have been in prayer and musing on America, where we are, where we have been, and where we are going some agonizing thoughts have come to mind.  When I witness, what in my mind, is an assault on our American foundation, the pillars of freedom, and the principles upon which America was founded, I become agitated! 

I wish I could say that it was always ‘righteous indignation’ but sometimes it is unadulterated blood boiling anger that could easily morph into hate and I fight against that with a passion.  I do not want hate to fill my heart and although I hate sin and the result of sin, I do not want to hate the sinner.  I hate the attempts to dismantle and unravel our constitutional framework and diminish the principled fabric of our society, but I do not want to hate those who disagree with me about what is best and the direction we should take. Hate will never produce genuine and lasting victory and progress!

“What is the greatest need of America today?”   I believe it is national HEALING!  You may not agree and that is your right and privilege.  I will not argue that there are not some incredibly imposing and threatening dangers facing our republic, there are!  Yet, I know from the Bible and history that a house divided against itself cannot stand, become incredibly weak, and open to an invasion of ideologies and forces that would dismantle and destroy us.  I do not believe most want that!  The Bible offers us a prescription for Healing in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.”  [Amplified].

I have watched some of the presentations by the media, political pundits, activists, and protesters over the past year.  The riots that broke out when Donald J. Trump was elected in 2016 have not occurred in 2021.  No, I am not discounting the events of January 6^th, but I am saying that those of us on the Right do not conduct ourselves in the same way as the followers of the toxic liberal ideology of the Left.   I believe there were so many abnormalities if not outright fraud and criminality during the election that I cannot be called legitimate.  However, it is what it is, and we must deal with the reality of where we are.

If we allow ourselves to focus on our particular ideology, pet agenda, personal preference, or pet peeve we will expand the divide.  If we allow ourselves to be drawn into hate and continue to fan the flames of discord, we will fail as a nation and thereby will suffer individually and collectively.  I continue to believe what Donald J. Trump said in his inaugural address in 2017.  I believe it is a view that is vitally important for us to focus on.  He said that UNITED, America is Unstoppable!  He said other things about setting aside our prejudices, biases and realizing that we are All Americans and America should be first not personal preference.

I would never suggest anyone abandon their convictions or principles.  I would never do that, but I do suggest that we need to resist and reject hate!  I do suggest we seek common ground through which we can work together for the good of America and Freedom at home and abroad.  If you hate me or I hate you based on the color of skin, we both lose.  If I hate you or you hate me based on personality, we both are reduced to incredibly small people.  If I hate you or you hate me based on which side of a political issue we stand, we dig a chasm that will prevent us from finding a solution to our nation’s problems. 

I have seen the signs held by those protesting over the past year and one of those from 2016 until today was, “Love Trumps Hate.”   That is the truth, but when a sign next to that sign called for the assignation or some other incredibly vile act of violence and hate it diminishes the sentiment.  LOVE does triumph over HATE!  However, we dare never forget that Hate and Love do not flow out of the same fountain or heart at the same time. 

America’s greatest need, in my mind, is HEALING!  I am convinced that Healing can only truly come from God.  I was appalled when Barack Obama won in 2008 and significantly discouraged when he won again in 2012 but I did not stop being an American and wanting what was best for America.  Did I oppose Mr. Obama?  Yes, I did.  Was I vocal?  Yes, I was. 

Am I disturbed that Joe Biden is the President?  Yes, I am.  But I have not nor will I call his murder, the rape of his wife, or seek to destroy the framework of our society, government, commerce, or community.  I found almost nothing good in the policies of Mr. Obama. You may find nothing good in the policies of Mr. Trump.  But if we love America and are willing to suppress our prejudices, biases, and resist the tendency to HATE that which is different we can not only survive but thrive as a nation.  HEALING is America’s greatest need and it is my greatest need as a human being. 

I hate the message and actions of Islamic jihadism.  I hate the murder of innocent babies in the womb.  I hate the attempts to strip all references and mention of God from our public stage.  I hate the fundamental transformation of America into something other than the nation we were established to be and the principles upon which we were formed.  I hate the works of evil no matter what form that comes.  HOWEVER, I do not want to be filled with HATE and thereby prevented from having LOVE for my fellow man.  I want to be a part of the HEALING of our Nation not a part of the perpetuation of division. 

I know that my sermon (that is what some will call it) will not be well received by a segment of society, but I hope you hear my heart.  I DO NOT want anyone to abandon their principles and discard their core convictions.  I want you to protest what you believe is wrong but do so in a civil, peaceful, constitutional, and legal manner.  I want all of us to be able to stand for what we believe is right but to do so as rational and mature people.  I am praying for HEALING in our land and am committed to interceding for America.

It is my prayer and desire that we return to God and become a people who “seeks FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.”  I pray that we become a people who understand that just as the human body has many different parts the Body of Christ does as well.  I pray that we realize that we are all descendants of Adam & Eve and that although we have different ethnic backgrounds and skin pigmentation, we are all part of the Human Race.  I pray that we will allow our differences to be aired peaceable and stop focusing on our victimization and pursue peace.

God, bless you and God bless America is my prayer and desire!