the people have spoken

(Just to be clear - this post is NOT about politics)

So many people that I know are unhappy and even frightened about the election results.  But there has been a bigger, different "election" going on for years and most of us have not even noticed.

Why do we have so many abortions?  Why the trend toward homosexuality?  Why do so many marriages end?  Why is violence on the rise?

Because it's what the people want.

Sin is rampant and it's because the people choose it.  We, the people.  We choose it.

And while there are those of us who want to live moral lives and want to be surrounded by morality and godliness, the truth is, we are outnumbered.  The people have spoken.  They want sin. 

And the heartbreaking part is, the stats in the church are the same as the world.  Divorce rate, porn addiction, unwed pregnancies, marital infidelity, etc.  The church looks like the world.

Beyond that, what about pride?  gossip?  greed?  materialism?  fear?  We all choose sin.  We all have cast our vote at one time or another and sin won.

And we act shocked and horrified at the prospect of government funded abortion.  We are stunned at the prospect of legalized gay marriage.  Really?  We didn't see this coming?  

I don't know what I can do to make you, or he, or them choose righteousness.  I don't know how to make anyone else desire holiness and then open their hearts to God for inspection and cleansing.  All I can do is open my own heart.

We love to quote the scripture that says, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and heal their land."  But do we personalize it?  Or is it just a vague statement about the church in general.

I am His people and I am called by His name.  I must humble myself.  Fall on my knees.  Get off my spiritual high horse and don't just talk about turning from my wicked ways - actually turn.  Turn around, choose the better way.  I must do it.  Each of us as individuals must do it.  

I have a longing, a passion for holiness.  But if I don't start with me, it won't be holiness, it will be arrogance and judgementalism.

The world has spoken.  They choose sin.  Let us make a new choice.  Let us who are called by the name of Christ choose a better way.  

Because it doesn't matter who the president of this nation is.  He is a man.  He has no power over our souls.  Our allegiance and obligation is to the KING.  We must be sure that we are serving Him as He requires.  All else is secondary.