Land of Opportunity

In our individual, as well as our corporate, lives - in the church and in civic society, we can make it
our aim to display and apply the teachings of Scripture. Proverbs 14 states:
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

The Scriptures provide a template, a roadmap, for living a life that pleases God, a life that is satisfying and, as Jesus said, abundant.  God teaches us how to relate to one another, as He provides direction for the corporate sphere, which includes how we are to participate in civic life.  We have to establish a pattern of righteousness, walking in a manner that is honest, empathetic, and predicated on the love of Christ, which puts the needs of others first.

+++++

I do believe that we can attribute the longevity of our nation to the principles upon which we were founded, a promise of liberty and subservience to Almighty God.  1st Peter 2 offers some concepts
for a strong national life:
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--
16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

We can continue to celebrate the concept of America and reflect on the principles on which it was founded while recognizing that some do not believe that they have experienced full participation in its blessings.  That's what you can glean from a recent survey from the Barna organization, which was reported on by ChristianHeadlines.com.  The article opens up by saying:

Christians in America are more likely than the general population to see the United States as a blessed nation and a world leader, although majorities in both categories affirm such a belief, according to a new Barna survey.

Christians also are more likely to say the U.S. is a Christian nation and was “chosen by God.”

Here is a statement from the piece:

According to the poll, 80 percent of practicing Christians but 58 percent of U.S. adults agree with the statement that “historically, the United States has been a Christian country.” Fifty-one percent of practicing Christians strongly agree with the statement, while 29 percent “somewhat” agree.

And, 87 percent of practicing Christians say that “historically, the United States has been blessed by God.” Almost two-thirds of these Christians "strongly agree" that the U.S. has been blessed by God.  Just slightly over half of U.S. adults recognize that the nation has been blessed.

Plus, "87 percent of practicing Christians and 75 percent of U.S. adults agree that 'historically, the United States has been a leader to the rest of the world.'"

Another Christian Headlines story digs more deeply into the perception of racial issues.  The story says that the survey found that, according to Michael Emerson, one of those involved with the project: "When asked if the country has historically been oppressive for racial minorities, 82 percent of white evangelicals do not agree, said Emerson, head of the sociology department at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In comparison, among practicing Christians, 75 percent of African Americans agree, along with more than 60 percent of Hispanics, while 60 percent of whites do not agree."  The story also notes:

When respondents were asked whether systemic racism or individual prejudices were the bigger problem in the country today, two-thirds of African Americans pointed to systemic racism while the same proportion of whites blamed individual prejudices. Among evangelicals, 7 in 10 (72 percent) faulted individual prejudices, 12 percent said systemic racism and the rest answered “I don’t know.”

The other Christian Headlines story noted, "By a 48-28 margin, practicing Christians say it has been oppressive." This contrasts with the 50-21 margin among all American adults. This survey, by the way, was taken last summer, so in light of current developments, the results might be different if the study was done today.

So, what do we take away?  First of all, there is a belief among Christians that God's hand has been on this nation; furthermore, a large majority of Christians and even a sizable majority of U.S. adults see this nation as a world leader.  Even a small majority of American adults and large majority of Christians see the U.S. as a Christian nation.  So, there we see the opportunity.  There are some principles upon which the nation has been built and that have sustained us.

Unfortunately, there is a wide perception gap between African-American and Hispanic Christians and white evangelicals, according to the survey.  There is the opposition of views, which doesn't mean that we have to be in opposition to one another.  People see the current conditions of our country through different prisms; but that doesn't mean we can't listen and learn and seek to work together to make sure that our founding principles as a nation and our governing principles as people of faith are extended to everyone.

If we are walking in the power and direction of the Spirit of God, there is cause for optimism.  Because we recognize God's power is available to us, we can allow Him to work as we pray together, as we listen and as we learn.  With Him, nothing is impossible, and we can look forward to seeing Him heal and restore as the Church steps up in a visible expression of the love and wisdom of Christ.