I realize just how many years have slipped by when considering my age today. Life has a way of passing quickly, like a vapor. It seems the older I get, the faster the years go, but my memory is sharp, clear, and concise when looking into the rearview mirror of memories. They reveal truth that does not lie.
Memories confirm my suspicions regarding the lack of reconciliation
with God, while transitioning from bad times, when people pray to Him for help,
to snubbing God, in good times, when He is no longer needed.
It is understandable that most people are looking for a
blissful existence in a world where nothing is set in concrete nor does a sure
thing exist except death and taxes.
In times when less things are troubling the minds of society,
life is considered good. These are the “wonder
years” when life is moving along smoothly with fewer things to elevate one’s
heart rate.
Sadly, I believe these times seldom challenge people to
include God in their comings and goings, because all is well with no lingering
worries to speak of. They go about their
daily living and give little thought to God as they place Him on the back
burner, because there is no “needy list” of critical concerns to pray about. Things are good.
Expectations of God are far and in between when there is no
longer a need to call upon His name, yet God wants to be involved in every area
of our life, because He loves us.
In our immediate surroundings, when there are less worries,
or none, an impudent society simply thinks they do not need God’s interference,
because they believe they have all the answers.
Arrogance, once again, takes center stage as men and women
become puffed up, thinking themselves as little gods. I have seen it happen more times than not,
emphasizing that actions speak louder than words.
In times of plenty, when inflation is down, wages are up with
money in savings, unemployment is down, our military is strong, our dollar is
strong, and there is plenty of food to set before our families, life is good.
Sadly, there is less desire to communicate with our Creator,
because more interesting things take His place.
This is the nature of mankind, isn’t it?
But if anything happens out of the norm or beyond the control of
humankind’s ability to counter the problem, immediately, prayer is implemented,
calling upon the powers of heaven to intervene.
No doubt, this is typical of human beings. I perceive the way people treat God is like
turning on a radio when they need soothing music to level them out, and then turning
it off when the soul has finally mellowed.
I wonder at times why God puts up with it and is always ready
to encourage, strengthen, and show love to anyone that asks, after being
treated so poorly. But that’s called, “Unconditional
Love.”
Covid claimed almost seven million lives worldwide, causing
panic and fear in every household.
People wanted to attend synagogues, mosques, churches and other places
of worship and prayer, but were not permitted to do so for fear that the virus could
spread more vigorously when in proximity and contact with other people.
Individuals found God in places like the privacy of their
home, or in a car. It really didn’t matter
about the venue, because people were finding supernatural intervention wherever
they prayed during the pandemic. God did
not leave nor forsake us.
The intended purpose of this writing is to point out the lack
of respect, honor, and reverence given to the true and living God when dark
clouds dissipate, and the sun is shining again.
Shame on us for putting God on “hold” in the good times.
Though September 11, 2001, was devastating, the hearts of
many were full of warmth for others less fortunate than themselves. The terrible memory of 9/11 is haunting. I remember exactly where I was when our
homeland was attacked by terrorists.
Men and women came together after the attacks, despite race,
creed, or color, to aid those in need and pray for one another. Our nation was united. An outpouring of love and support, with
hearts aching, went out to the victims and their families. Everyone felt the anguish of families that
were directly affected by the attacks.
No doubt, thousands of people found themselves crying out to
God for help. Sorrow was present for the
many people that were trapped in the Twin Towers and those on hijacked
airliners, while asking God to give guidance to our country’s leaders during
this horrific time. But again, God was
consoling broken hearts and giving strength to a nation in quandary.
It seems like yesterday
and so vivid in my memory, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on
November 22, 1963. It was one of America’s
darkest days. As a kid, I felt unsafe
and afraid that the United States would be invaded at any moment, because our
leader was dead.
I am sure that many people, including myself, began to
bombard heaven with prayers, asking God to protect us from the onslaught of
peril. We cannot forget that God did not
turn His back on us. He gave hope and
spoke, “Peace” to our soul and the nation. God
never left us.
It is sad how soon Americans forget the Almighty when the
storms of life subside, and the stress level of calamities exits. I observed people returning to their busy
lifestyles and daily routines with little thought of how God was sustaining our
existence. I seldom heard thanks given to
God for His peace during the unknown.
As people step farther and farther away from God in the days
of now, I believe that more and more people ignore the words printed on our
money, IN GOD WE TRUST. In fact, many
people want to remove the words all together.
In ignorance, they are setting themselves, once again, on the
throne of God, thinking themselves little gods, until the next calamity or
threat comes their way.
The 2024 election for President and Vice President of the
United States is drawing near. We are
facing an upcoming battle for “truth, justice, and the American way,” regarding
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans.
The election of the right leaders is paramount and will be a
pivotal point as to what direction the U.S.A. will be headed in years to come. I pray that more Americans will see the
importance of praying about this election than ever before.
We must pray for the leadership of America and trust that God’s
will be done to give us people of integrity that truly have the American people
at heart rather than power and prestige.
This comes through prayer. I
believe God will hear our prayers when we seek His face.
(2 Chronicles 7:14), “If My people who are called by
My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their
wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal
their land.”
Let us pray for God’s divine intervention, while there is yet
time. We need to get back to the basics
that God is holy and omnipotent, and we should worship Him as the true and
living God. He gave His Son to die for
the sins of not only America, but all humanity.
We can call upon the Lord at any time, in the good times and
bad, through thick and thin, through plenty and wane. God does not change with the weather when
times are good or bad. He is the same yesterday,
today and forever. We can ask anything
in the name of Jesus and receive answers to our petitions.
The Bible says that we have not because we ask not, so God
expects us to call upon His name, always, not just the bad times. Jesus is without a doubt our hope in this
life.
The following questions keep circling my mind. Why do negative things need to happen before
we turn our faces toward God? Why do
people set themselves above God until they need Him? Does God allow things to happen to get our
attention long enough to once again place Him back on the throne where He
belongs?
Let us not forget upon Who’s statutes the United States of
America was founded…In God We Trust. Our
nation must return to the Lord. It must
begin with you and me. Remember, one
person and God is the majority.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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