There is Hope…Even for America

I had hoped to go. But the wind was spinning. Waves were rising in my world. And I just didn’t think there was hope…

To make the two hour drive to Olympia where Franklin Graham would present Decision America on the steps of the state capitol.

And yet, I know when Jesus passed, it wasn’t the stagnant that were blessed by Him, it wasn’t the still and apathetic that encountered the presence of The One they needed…

It was…

• The Leper who came, cried out, and knelt before Jesus believing he would be healed. (Mark 1:40)
• The children who were brought to him, though the disciples reprimanded them. (Luke 18:15-17)
• Zaccheus climbing a tree to see him, though he was a rotten tax collector and to some, unworthy of getting near him. (Luke 19)
• The women with the blood disorder, who pushed through the crowd to touch the cloak of Jesus. (Luke 8:43-48)
• The centurion who rode wildly out to meet Jesus to ask for his servants healing. (Matt 8:5;13)

The list goes on and one. And yet, where did we get this notion that we can sit idly in our homes apathetically and yet, Jesus will do all the work?

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8 tells us.

And yes, I know Franklin Graham is not Jesus, but the fruit of His ministry reflects a piece of Jesus He can teach us.

Still, how Christians refuse church and fellowship, denounce any ounce of holiness, and yet say they love God.

How can that be?

I open Scripture this week and find, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit. Likewise, a bad tree cannot bear bad fruit.” (Matt 7:17-18)

And yet, what I have heard, and what resounds in my culture is…

“We are all good and bad, let’s just let live and accept bad trees have good fruit, good trees have bad fruit.”

And yet, as if for the first time, I read, “cannot”. Good trees “cannot” make bad fruit. And bad trees “cannot” make good fruit.

So, I rack by brain to see how to meet this man who is traveling to every single state to make a declaration to America, rallying and petitioning God’s people to not stay silent and to pray for their country.

My daughter’s in basketball camp. My son, who usually works, nearly begs to pick her up, and help us if we go. My husband’s second interpreting job, miraculously gets cancelled.

So, we start driving, assuming we’ll hit heavy traffic as we drive during rush hour, through Seattle to Olympia.

Until, I get a text from a friend. Her and her husband are on the road, just a few minutes behind us. My husband insists pulling over at the park and ride and having them ride with us.

So, we get to the Park and Ride, and hear later that it is absolutely impossible to find parking spots there.

Yet, we immediately find parking.

We join our friends, get back on the road and like God parting the seas, simply sail through Seattle.

Close to the exit of the event on the freeway, traffic is backed up, and we assume we’ll never make it on time.

Just then, our map navigator tells us to take a different route. We weigh it. My husband takes the lead, and turns away from the traffic.

We fly past the cars and enter some quiet, neighborhood streets, just a few blocks from where the event is taking place and easily finds a place to park there.

As we walk onto the grass, where thousands of people are gathered, I look at my Fitbit. 11:59.

The event starts exactly when we get there. We make our way towards the front, seeing flags, and all kinds of people gathered…

White hair, young children, African American, white, Islander….All declaring our nations need for something more than what we have been getting.

Franklin enters. We all pray and repent; for our nation, our own sins, and the sins of our ancestors.

And then, we are rallied to not back down in fear in our country, to share the name of Jesus, to take office, start prayer groups in our communities…

“We are NOT a country destined to doom, like some say.” Franklin Graham shares.

And I think about those false prophets who have declared, “There is no hope for America”, and then charge $49.99 to buy their dooms day kits online.

And I think about how many bad trees there can be out there. How many falsely come in the name of Jesus and bring harm to those seeking.

And how few speak truth, not ashamed of the complete gospel. How few come in the name of Jesus and do not bend or compromise offering His full character…

Even when discriminated against, reveled, and others say all kind of evil against them.

And I can feel the air lifting, peace prevailing, seeing hearts waiting on the grass, even long after it’s over and we sing in unisome, songs commemorating our country. 

No one wants to leave His presence.

So many knowing, we need much more than “good intentions” or “bad trees” trying to force out “good fruit” here in America.

We need hearts changed, deep work done in deep tissue and every fiber of our beings. We need repentance, and lifestyle changes…

A focus that is not on agendas or political systems, but mind’s infiltrated with the truth and grace and humility of Jesus.

We need to run to the places where we can taste more of Him; like in Scripture, like on our knees, like in the Houses of prayer set up all over our state that are Biblical and filled with other worshipers.

It’s not enough to sit idly by, in bitterness. Cursing a God who has failed us, when things don’t go your way. 

It’s time to rise church, to draw near Him. It’s time we wipe off the dust, and put words to our voices in prayer, worship, and in testimonies and declaration for what He has done in our own lives…

It’s time we are more than white washed tombs, playing church, or pretending to be good or some plastic representations of Him.

We must put on the mantel of His righteousness, clothe ourselves in love, and plant ourselves deep in His Word…

Let’s be more than plastic, shiny fruit. Let’s be rooted so deep in His love, we have visible character that blooms…

So full of fruit, the world can tell the trees of our hearts are planted deep in Him.

And let’s start running hard, seeking after God with everything in us.

Because it is not too late, not for any of us, Hope is rising….

Even in America.