8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Don't grow weary, verse 9 says - and we can know that barriers will arise in situations to which God has called us. And, if He desires for us to accomplish a work for Him, then He will give us the resources we need in order to see it through. We reap a harvest as we continue to sow - but, if we cease sowing and even withdraw from a situation, then we will not see God's work accomplished in the way He intends. When times get tough, there is a temptation to run, to give up, or to become complacent. But, it is in the times of adversity where we can experience God's hand in a particularly powerful way, and He will do His work in our lives, producing fruit to His glory.
In Philippians 4, the apostle Paul talks about the attitude of contentment, which is not to be confused with complacency:
11b ...I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Alabama and Georgia are now #4 and 5 in the college football BCS standings, and people are looking toward that SEC championship, where both teams are headed if Alabama defeats Auburn next week. There's another ranking out there now where Alabama and Georgia are 4 and 5, even though the positions are reversed, at last check - the listing of states that have had residents file secession petitions on a website, We the People, that is operated by WhiteHouse.gov. If a petition is submitted and gains 25,000 signatures, or more, it elicits an official response by the Administration.
Hey, I can appreciate the sentiment of signing a petition to express frustration, or even to show support for a particular cause. But, the emergence of the online petition can give an outlet, but it remains to be seen if this activity can really result in social or policy change by and large. These petitions can give news sources something to cover, though, and these secession petitions, now running for all 50 states, have generated plenty of virtual ink.
(Update from The Daily Caller)
Honestly, though, if you consider the practicalities of a state actually following through on secession, the challenges can be enormous. That can explain why, since the Civil War, we haven't seen any states actually withdraw from the Union and form their own individual governments. The governor of Texas, Rick Perry, who had actually made some secession comments a few years back, rejected any support for consideration of pulling out. He is quoted as saying:
“Gov. Perry believes in the greatness of our Union and nothing should be done to change it. But he also shares the frustrations many Americans have with our federal government...Alabama governor Robert Bentley, the same day he resisted a Federal request to set up a health care exchange for the state, sent word through his press secretary,
“Governor Bentley believes in one nation under God. While there is frustration with the federal government, Governor Bentley believes that states can be great laboratories of change...As our leaders in Washington look for strategies to address America's financial challenges, Alabama is working hard toward saving a billion dollars annually by right-sizing government. We can disagree on philosophy, but we should work together to make this country the best it can be..."But, I began to think about the human tendency to "secede" when things don't go the way we like, and we start operating in discontentment and we could even end up engaging in sinful behavior...if we are facing challenges on the job, go find a new one, which is especially difficult in this economy. You've been offended by someone at church, or the preacher said something you disagreed with, or the music's too loud - go find another church. Not satisfied with your current spouse? Go find a new one, or get involved in a romantic entanglement with someone to whom you're not married. If we become consumed with a "grass is greener on the other side" philosophy, we operate contrary to Scripture, that teaches contentment, perseverance, and faithfulness. Instead of working at making things better, we devote our energy to bailing out, and that can be counterproductive. So are you in a difficult situation or relationship? Perhaps God is desiring to do a deeper work in your life and in the lives of others - instead of running, perhaps He wants you to double down.
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