Roots

"Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." (Psalm 80:3) As a culture, we Americans seem to have drifted far and wide into a spiritual black hole -- far from the roots of which our home was founded. We've gone from strong values, clear boundaries and moral footing to this vast gray area of "spirituality" where anything goes, but nothing is real. And all in the name of progress. Ironically, the more we "progress" and the more we accept as truth, the worse off we are as human beings. Relationships (marriages) fail faster and at a higher rate than ever before. Families lose their identity and crumble. Evil permeates through our schools. Confusion ranks highest for the typical American. And yet we wonder what is happening and why. Nothing satisfies. Jesus was very clear during his time on earth that there is One Truth and One Way. Prophetically, he announced "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He didnt' say he was "a way" or "a truth" or "a life." He said he was "the way, the truth and the life." He added that "no one comes to the Father except through me." All avenues don't lead to God, only one -- Jesus the Christ, the Messiah. Most importantly God is not an ambiguous vague character that is eretheral, a light, a source of power. He is Father God, Adonai, Lord God Almighty. The Bible is full of names for him that give a very specifc, full and robust description of him. He is so much more than we can imagine -- to limit him to simply "a higher power" or "a source of light" does a disservice. He is intentional, loving, gracious, healer. He longs for us to come unto him. He is jealous -- not of us and who we are (after all, how can you be jealous of what you made for your pleasure?). He is jealous for us -- for all of our hearts, minds, souls and spirit -- he is jealous of our affection, of what we idolize. He wants to be It for us. The one and only. My heart is heavy for those who choose against this. Whether they don't believe because of how they grew up or choices they made. To see God's children living life missing out on the blessing, love and favor of God makes me grieve. To know how good God is; to have walked through such adversity in life, with him by my side has shown me a fullness of who he is and what his intentions are for me. And to watch people I love miss out on that all in name of acceptance or tolerance...well, it's hard to see. Restore us unto you once again, Lord God. Turn us to you, and make your face shine upon us...be pleased once again with us. That we, as a people, culture and country be saved...and live forever with you and your blessed Son in eternity.