The Latest National Crisis and a Call for Repentance

Well, here we are again. Gosh, I had hoped we had evolved a bit, but evidently I was sadly mistaken. I had pretty much hung up my writing hat since the Ferguson fiasco, but with this latest string of violence and wave of frustration, I dug that thing out, dusted it off, and to my husband's chagrin decided to put words to paper. Let me try and describe to you my feelings, which I assure you are all over the board right now. Pray for me.

First, let me just address that elephant in the room. A man died this week at the hands of those in authority. It was horrific, tragic, and plain sad...but so it is with anyone who loses their life in a senseless manner, or any manner! Can we agree?

Death is not natural, and frankly, I'm appalled and sickened that so many chose to watch this man die...to take his final breaths as if they were watching Monday night football. Let me just tell you something, life is precious. Somehow we have forgotten that. Just stop for a moment and ask yourself, would I want my son's last moments filmed for all the world to see? I would hope you would be just as mortified as I am over this.

Oh, but it does not stop with this one incident. No, this is only a symptom of a larger problem. On the other side of the fence, the law enforcement community has lost 92 this year? I know that may not resonate with you and that's okay, but it does with me. That's 92 families who do not have their officer coming home. That's 92 families who have had to say goodbye prematurely to someone they love. It's 92, too many. 92 who were doing a job, to make a living, to put food on the table, to provide a roof over their family's head. 92. Where is the outrage? Crickets.

Or how about the 345,757 babies last year, who lost their lives violently at the hands of an abortion provider? That's 345,757 people who are non-existent, not given an opportunity to take their first breath, get their first tooth, take their first steps, or speak their first words. 345,757 who could have held the cure for cancer, led the greatest revival, made the most impressive scientific discovery, stepped foot on the closest planet, yet selfishly, their life was snuffed out ever before it began. Where are the protests of those who have blood on their hands? 

Finally...dare I say this...according to American Free Press, 93% of blacks were killed by other blacks. Who is going to stand up and say enough is enough?! ALL LIVES MATTER. 

Tell me, when did the world stop caring? Brother against brother. Friend against friend. Careless words slung back and forth not stopping to think about the damage being caused. Anger allowed to fester, boil then spill over in ungodly ways, damaging other people's property and livelihoods all to prove a point. What point? That we are broken? I think that's clear. Anybody?

And what about the children? Who has stopped in their tracks long enough to think about the little eyes and ears who are seeing and hearing adults acting foolishly...talking foolishly? What is this teaching the next generation? Disrespect is okay? Hatred is okay? Harming others is okay, even if it is retaliatory? God help us!

Here's the bottom line...we need Jesus. I don't say that to be cute or snide. I say it out of deep concern for the direction this country is heading. History has a way of showing us what happens when a nation goes down a path that leads away from God. They . face . judgment.

I'm not trying to impress anyone with any supposed Bible knowledge, but just stating fact. We are on dangerous ground. Look around and you will see how far we have fallen. Each of us has gone our own way. We have pushed God aside and taken Him out of our homes and schools. We have done what is right in our own eyes just as the people of old, and we are reaping the consequences of it. God will not bless a nation whose own self is lord. 

So let this be a battle cry. Examine yourself. Examine your ways. Where are you, sinner? How far have you drifted away from God? Is your life a reflection of Him or a flicker of you? Listen, I have had to examine my own heart, and I assure you that many times I have grieved the heart of God.

The  Bible tells us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

That doesn't mean we won't have to face consequences for our actions, but it does mean that He will be with us through these uncertain times. 

I'm calling out to you tonight. Better yet, He's calling out to you. Ask. Turn. Follow. Share. Be.

• Ask for God's forgiveness 
• Turn from your sins
• Follow God and make the changes necessary to live a life honoring to Him
• Share what He's done in your life with others
• Be the change! 

I know that I'm probably preaching to the choir here. I know that some will read and flippantly toss my thoughts to the side. That's perfectly okay, but don't turn off what God is trying to speak to you through all of this. 

We are on a sinking ship and it is now or never to start plugging the holes. We've got to humble ourselves and turn to God in every area or we won't stand much longer. 

He's calling out to you. What are you going to do with all of this? What are you going to do with Jesus?

Serving with my head down,

Kristi

*324,000 U.S. Blacks Killed by Blacks in Only 35 Years, American Free Press, December 21, 2014,https://americanfreepress.net/in-just-35-years-232000-u-s-blacks-killed-by-other-blacks/