I have lived long enough to see a lot of things change. Raised in a small town in the 1950s, I can remember a traditional family – Mom, Dad, me and my younger brother. We lived in a small ranch-style home right by the local elementary school. My family wasn’t well-off, but every night we sat down together to a home-cooked meal. I was one of those “play outside until the street lights come on” kind of kids, riding my bike everywhere I wanted to go. Sunday was church day, and getting the big edition of the newspaper that contained lots of ads and the multi-colored comic pages. Most businesses were closed for this day of rest and worship. Life was simple, enjoyable, and, looking back, surprisingly safe.

Fast forward to today when life is much more complicated and filled with many distractions. We have a multitude of TV and streaming channels, all kinds of ways to communicate via cell phones, tablets, and other devices, yet loneliness and depression are at all-time highs. If you watch the news, the amount of negative reporting about politics, weather emergencies, and world-wide wars is enough to cause that depression. Children are being exposed to all kinds of inappropriate sexual situations and often indoctrinated by teachers and counselors into the mantra of the day, instead of being taught the subjects they need to succeed in life. Truth has become subjective, not reality. Might I suggest that we have lost our way as a society and culture. How did this happen? Simply, because we have turned our back on God and His teachings from the Bible.

A famous quote says that “the only thing necessary for evil to flourish (exist) is for good people to do nothing.” I think that’s been happening for years. Good people, even Christians, have refused to stand for the truth of God’s word lest they be labeled hateful, or in today’s society, cancelled. It’s just easier not to say or do anything.

This reminder from the Holocaust Memorial is chilling: “First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
– Pastor Martin Niemoller

Isn’t it time for those of us who know that what is going on in our country today is wrong to speak out or at least vote. A recent Barna study showed that evangelical Christians are no more likely to follow the news about politics and government than anyone else, and that around one-third of them do not vote (Family Policy Alliance).Talk about doing nothing!

I pray that people wake up soon and follow the teachings of 2 Chronicles 7:14 that I posted last time. It’s past time to turn back to Him.

God bless – Sue