Sadly, we live in very contentious times, some say they are even perilous. They are not new to our nation, though. Our history is replete with internal division, turmoil, and cultural clashes, as well as various threats from abroad. She won her freedom from the British through gallantry and a belief that freedom must and will prevail. She was yet fully formed when a lengthy Civil War almost created a permanent schism. Thankfully, through the grace of God and tremendous sacrifice, our precious union was preserved, and as Abraham Lincoln so eloquently stated, “this nation under God…shall not perish from this earth.” Resilient and strong, and underpinned by a robust Christian heritage, she would go on to survive a major worldwide depression, two world wars, and follow-on regional wars, and then an ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation from the Soviet Union during what was known as the Cold War. With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communism throughout Eastern Europe, we thought that finally a brighter, more peaceful world awaited us. Throughout our history, our unique constitutional republic form of government, founded upon strong Christian values, has allowed us to remain focused on building a better union by removing the evils that have precluded our progress toward that goal. After abolishing slavery, we realized women’s rights, enacted Civil Rights, and collectively pursued laws trying to raise the bar for all Americans. As a new millennium approached, there was an optimism in the air as more and more of our people were enjoying the blessings of living in America, that “shining city on a hill.” While most of us recognized there was still more work to do, many believed that just maybe our best days lay ahead.
Then on September 11, 2001, our once safe-haven of a country was shaken to the core when a well-coordinated Islamic terrorist suicide attack by an evil called al-Qaeda leveled the World Trade Center (Twin Towers), and severely damaged the Pentagon. Thankfully, a fourth hijacked plane, which was believed to be headed for the Capitol or White House, crashed in Shanksville, PA. This horrific day precipitated a Global War on Terrorism that, in some fashion, still exists. With 9/11, our once treasured sense of physical security was shattered as we too became vulnerable to an evil that up until that day we only saw on our television sets in other parts of the world. Ironically, it seems as if 9/11 also precipitated a moral decline that has fractured our union, leading to a lack of trust in our governing bodies and parties, and more recently, our people becoming more and more intolerant of one another.
Here’s a personal reflection from the second inauguration of George W. Bush in January 2005, which first made me think that something sinister might be underway. My wife and I lived in Fairfax, Virginia, at the time, and had been there since August 1990, when we returned from a four-year assignment in Germany. Up to that time, we had never been to an Inaugural Parade, as we really weren’t much into crowds. We had visitors that week, and they wanted to go, so we relented and took them. I did come around to the idea, though, as it was an opportunity to witness one of our country’s unique traditions, the peaceful transfer of power. After walking around checking out the sights, we decided to find a good vantage spot on the parade route. We did, right next to the curb with no obstructions. There was a nice line of folks equally excited all around us. Most wore Bush buttons, and the onlookers, two or three deep, were all enjoying this special American tradition. About a half hour before the parade started, we could hear some noise behind us, sounding kind of rough and getting closer and closer. We were soon surrounded by a group of motley-looking rabble carrying the most professionally designed placards denouncing Bush. They wasted no time becoming pushy, clearly wanting the good spot people came early to find. I tried to remain calm. I have no issue with peaceful protesting, just get there early and get your spot. Don’t push others out. The more they pushed and shouted, the more it caused many of those around us to leave, allowing the rabble to push right on in. About that time, mounted police arrived. One of them came up to us and suggested we leave. I’m like, we were here first, have them leave, but the cop indicated otherwise. Liva is pulling me by the arm. I wasn’t saved then, and I so wanted to give them a piece of my mind. We were able to find a spot across the other side of the street, not nearly as good, but that didn’t matter. No one got to see the President and first lady, as the President’s car and security staff stopped well back from where we were to let all the other parade participants pass in front of them to our spot. Once clear, the President’s car sped past the protesters and us, then slowed farther down the route so he and the first lady could wave to the spectators. The foul-mouthed youth across the street seemed jubilant over their performance. The media must have been impressed too, as the evening news played up the protesters, saying they dominated the onlookers rather than being just a few small groups along the parade route.
Unfortunately, it does seem that starting with the Bush presidency, we as a country began to devolve into a politically crazy world. There was a day when our elected leaders possessed a united grace aimed at the common good for all Americans. Today, there is so much distrust between parties and their supporters; there’s too much focus on special interests; the voices have gotten louder and more strident; the media appears to have taken sides, forfeiting its journalistic role; and the protests have become way more violent. Gone are the days when most Americans trusted our government to promote order, stability, and justice. I wasn’t saying Bush started it, only that the intense divisiveness surfaced during his presidency. While prior presidencies had their share of rancor, Congress and administrations still could work with one another. When Bush left office, half the country seemed to hate him. If you tell the public, “He lied to us” for so long, it definitely takes its toll. Oddly enough, most of those who hated him then now think he’s a pretty good guy because of his differences with our current president. Hatred can make for some strange bedfellows.
No matter how it came about, there seems to be an uncontrollable wildfire consuming the very fabric of our country. Today, distrust has been replaced by pure hate, not only at the political level but also among many everyday Americans. If you follow social media, it may seem like there are only two types of Americans, MAGA maggots or TDS crazies. These are terms I’ve seen, and regrettably, I’ve seen worse. More and more people seem to reflect an attitude of “If you don’t believe as I do, I hate you.” It shocks and saddens me every time I see that type of sentiment stated, and then how many “likes” it gets. Respectful dialogue no longer exists. It has been replaced by combustible rhetoric, where people just have to let you know their opinion, no matter the consequences. Probably not since the Civil War have we seen political divisiveness splinter families and friendships as we do today.
Mired in such a corrosive environment, it is not surprising that our cherished Christian heritage is also under attack, which started with the removal of Bibles from the classroom. It has now become much more violent; things we once thought could never happen in America are becoming normalized. Sadly, the black community endured church violence that stained our history for way too long. Fortunately, that kind of hatred is in the past. Evil now has taken on new forms; one wrapped around politics and the other straying from the Bible through false teaching. I sometimes wonder if the Bible had not been removed from schools, if our country could have avoided the current ills of our land. I think it would be a far better place. But I digress. Recently, we lived through the horror of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the attempts on the President’s life, and the attempts on judges’ and state politicians’ lives. More recently, we saw protesters enter and disrupt a church service in Minneapolis, with little outcry from state and local officials, the media, or from many of those in Congress. This tells you that evil has a firm foothold when our institutions, which should be the bastions of our freedom and liberties, fail in their responsibilities and obligations. Their silence condones such behavior, shamefully normalizes it, and further emboldens lawlessness.
Also, if you follow social media, you have seen, as I have, more and more references to religious cults being a cause of America’s ills. Who are these cults? They are the churches of our nation’s Christian heritage. Who would have ever believed that Christianity would be perceived as the root of America’s evil? Almost weekly, you hear that our churches and the Bible are the source of hatred in our country. Some even say that the churches are the tool of white supremacists. Seems shocking, doesn’t it? Those who verbalize such nonsense will keep saying it over and over. Eventually, there will be those in the media who repeat it, just as they did when they pushed the “he lied to us” narrative.
Meanwhile, physical attacks on our Jewish Americans are commonplace now, and antisemitism continues to ramp up. Those who promote such hatred just helped elect an open Communist as mayor of New York City. It is evident that as our country becomes more progressive, the Christian and Jewish faiths are less tolerated. It will not surprise me, as more progressives get elected, that the whole concept of our religious freedom heritage will be targeted for elimination.
American Heroes who became victims of the spiritual battle: Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy; © Al Tucker
As a young boy, I loved watching old Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel comedy movies. In every show, Stan would get them in some crazy situation, causing Oliver to say, “Well, here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us into.” Theirs was a mess that they could easily get themselves out of. It was lighthearted fun, meant purely for entertainment. The mess our country finds itself in is far worse. As I opened this testimony, we live in difficult times. I believe we are in dark days that began with Flight 11 crashing into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. What started out as a fight against a common enemy, Jihadist terrorists, has devolved into an intractable confrontation between Democrats and Republicans known as the Left and the Right. Each has a different vision for the country, and neither side has shown a willingness to collaborate for the past couple of decades. Walkouts, investigations, impeachments, government shutdowns, and whatever obstruction works to impede their elected responsibility to legislate have become the norm. It is much more than a fine mess.
What should everyday Americans do? I would say emphatically–turn back to God. One thing I have learned is that with Him, all things are possible. If we fix our hearts, there is nothing we can’t do. I remember my mum saying that during and after World War II, churches were filled every Sunday, even during the risk of air raids. During that time, communities became families, and everyone looked out for one another as they were all engulfed in the same struggle against an evil called fascism. With God’s help, those people of faith prevailed. When we moved to America in 1954, I was struck by how full and active churches were. I credit going to church and participating in youth activities as very helpful in helping me gain friends and become Americanized. Fast forward to 2004, when my wife and I moved to Buckhannon, churches were packed, people were friendly, and a vibrant community spirit prevailed. We were made to feel so welcome. Something happened along the way: even before the pandemic arrived, pews began to sit empty, volunteerism began to wane, and community spirit seemed to ebb. As church attendance has dwindled, hearts seem to have hardened, younger generations are less community-oriented than their parents and grandparents, and society in general has grown colder and more contentious.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit…”
John 15:16 (NJKV)
What does turning back to God mean? I can tell you what it means for me, which I think it should mean for all Christians. The opening lyrics of one of my favorite hymns are “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” That may sound simplistic, and on face value, probably so. Not so in terms of its execution. When Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me, that wasn’t an invitation to a life of ease. It was a call to seek and serve in the Kingdom of God. No Christian should ever forget it was God who chose us and that He chose each of us for a specific purpose. I love how Paul, whom one would think would be the last person to have been chosen, often reminded us in his letters that it was Jesus who called him to be an Apostle (Romans 1:1). I also love how Billy Graham felt unworthy in his calling to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ. Don’t we all. I will always remain amazed that He called me at the age of 70 to follow Him. I, too, found it incredulous to believe He would want someone like me. But I am so grateful that He loved me so much. I have since learned that He loves us all and stands ready to save anyone. All one has to do is repent and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. It is purely a personal thing between each sinner and Jesus; no one can make that commitment for us. It is our choice to accept or not. Once saved, He sends His Holy Spirit to each of us to reside within us, to be a counselor, comforter, guide, and advocate. With the Holy Spirit guiding us, and the individual talents and abilities we were born with, we become equipped with our own unique gifts to serve Him and to carry out God’s purpose for our lives, which we are to do so with commitment, courage, discipline, and endurance. Our primary goal then is to please God, the One who called us.
What does that mean for us, Christians living in America? We love our country; we want the best for it. Both sides see her under siege. What should we do? First, we must remember that we have a higher calling: Per Jesus, we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and then we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31 paraphrased). Bottom line, we are to walk with God, and we should be about “glorifying God in all we do” (Colossians 3:23). It takes total commitment and tremendous discipline. I get the military metaphor used so much in the New Testament, indicating that the Christian life takes place on a battleground, not a playground. Obviously, I am not the first to come up with that thought. The great hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers,” has been a church standard for well over a century. The Bible, God’s word, tells us to pick up our cross, to put on the armor of God, to stand firm, to fight the good fight, and so on, all to further the Kingdom of God. It is never easy to march off to war, nor is battling evil; it never has been, never will be. Few Christian soldiers had a more difficult journey than the Apostle Paul. He set the example of fighting the good fight and earning his crown of righteousness. Thankfully, we have His letters to the Gentiles, which provide a blueprint for proclaiming the Gospel and glorifying God in the face of relentless evil. Specifically, His letters to Timothy, which provide great encouragement and guidance to him as he began his ministry in Ephesus. They are very instructive to us as we try to navigate the heavy seas ahead:
- Stay true to the message of the gospel and do not be ashamed to proclaim it (2 Timothy 1:8). (One of my Band of Brothers, Russ Bush, embodied this instruction.)
- We shouldn’t neglect using the gifts that God has given us (2 Timothy 1:6-7). (Throughout his life, My Brother Steve Foster used his many gifts to glorify God.)
- We shouldn’t be quarrelsome, but rather be kind to everyone, being patient to endure evil, and correct with gentleness and truth (2: Timothy 2: 24-26). (My Brother Dorse Gillum lived this command; he epitomized kindness and gentleness.) This one is a challenge for me, and I suspect it is for many. Jesus showed us how we should respond in addressing the anger of others when confronted by the Pharisees, who wanted to stone the woman who had committed adultery; He remained calm, looking up, saying, “he without sin should cast the first stone.” His response follows Proverbs 15, “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
- Always remember, Scripture is “breathed out by God” and is useful for all good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Soldiers follow the orders given by their commanders. (Russ, Steve and Dorse followed Jesus because their lives were immersed in Bible teaching.)
- “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer” (2 Timothy 2:4 NIV). I have bolded this last bullet as I want to elaborate on what it means for me and I believe for all Christians. It is very instructive for our current times.
Here Paul reminds Timothy to stay faithful to his calling by focusing on doing the will of His Father. He uses the analogy of a soldier, which Timothy would understand living in world where Roman soldiers were commonplace, and how soldiers were able to stay focused on their mission and not to get caught up in everyday (civilian) activities and matters. I can relate to that instruction from my time in the Air Force, as we were prohibited from being involved in most civilian affairs. We could be Boy Scout leaders, Little League coaches, and the like, but not engaged in any political activity outside employment. The word entangled is key as it suggests that one gets tied up in something that takes your eye off what is most important, the mission. For Timothy and Christians, it tells us not to get caught up in worldly pursuits that divert us from serving God. That doesn’t mean every day Christians cannot get involved in civilian activities, even politics, if that is their calling. At the national level, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter could both serve their country while still living rich Christian lives. Most of us know everyday people who are teachers, coaches, businesspeople, white- and blue-collar workers, etc., who are able to perform their job while still living an active Christian faith without compromise. That not only pleases God, but He needs all Christians to do so.
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
There are so many earthly activities beyond your occupation that can overly distract us from both finding and/or serving Jesus. There are those consumed with wealth accumulation or other earthly treasures. Pleasure seeking takes many forms and keeps people separated from God; for me, it was golf that consumed most of my life. Addiction (drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc.) entangles so many lives. In recent times, more and more people have been drawn into the political abyss. Plus, there are a whole host of other worldly distractions, including false teachers that divert Christians from fulfilling the purpose for which they were called.
Spiritual Renewal
Where does America go from here? We are facing a spiritual battle unlike anything we have ever faced before. Can we remain “One Nation Under God?” I believe we can if Christians remain faithful to their calling. Each of us has to embrace an attitude of “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” It must be intentional living where we’ve placed God’s work above our own selfish desires. Let us become today’s generation of “Onward Christian Soldiers” by putting on the armor of God proclaiming the Gospel and visibly loving our neighbors. If we are all able to glorify God in all we do, we will definitely be able to sustain our “shining city on a hill,” ever lit for future generations, and keep God pleased by our faithfulness, which should be our ultimate objective!!!
If you are saved, make sure you’ve strapped on your armor as you strive to live out God’s will for your life. If you are not saved but feel that God has been seeking and calling you, as He did me 13 years ago, ask Jesus to forgive your sins and believe in Him so that you can have everlasting life. Do that and find a Christian friend or a pastor and ask for their help so you can begin your walk with Jesus. If you do that with a willing heart, you will begin the most amazing journey you can ever imagine. You will not only become a Child of God and a friend of Jesus, but He will send His Holy Spirit to help you become one of His valued soldiers. I pray that for you.
Until next time, Godspeed, Al
Feature Images: main feature, the US Capitol, Washington, DC © Al Tucker; Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.; Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
