As I was watering my new grass areas and my flowers this morning, I sensed the presence of God in my gardens. He was admiring His creations, but He had a troubled look on His face. He has asked us to take care of the world He gave us; somehow, I feel He’s disappointed in us.
We seem to use the gifts He has given us for so many other reasons than what He wanted them used for. In our need to create a better world, we have created things that harm, things that cause pain, and things that build our empires, not our hearts. Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” Are we really a nation whose God is the Lord, or have we placed God at the end of our nation’s values?
Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” We are a privileged nation, with many riches and freedoms that other nations around the world can only dream about. The problems we are facing seem devoid of any praise for the Lord, let alone bringing peace to the earth. Our farmers are struggling to feed us and other nations, poor immigrants are fleeing their own countries to come here for freedoms many Americans take for-granted, middle class families usually depend on both parents working, while their children find love in other places, cell phones have replaced direct communication with many of us, politicians seem to deny issues that need answers while building their own financial portfolios, and we have become the children of Cain and Abel in many world problems. Are we trying to build generations of peace keepers or hoards of angry militants?
Isaiah 40:31 says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings of eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” As I look at God’s creations in my own life, I still have faith and hope in humanity to replace its lack of faith in God with a faith so powerful that even the strongest nations will call Him Wonderful Counselor, Lord God Almighty. And we shall have the strength of eagles, the speed of Olympian runners, and the courage to walk upright in the sight of God. I believe that His greatest gift, love, will conquer every problem and will bring peace to all of God’s creatures.
In the words of the immortal hymn, For the Beauty of the Earth: “For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the love which from our birth, over and around us lies; Christ, our God, to thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise.” Thank you, Lord, for everything you have given us; may we put you first in our lives, put love at the center of everything we do, and treat the beautiful world you created with respect and honor. Continue to be by our sides as we struggle to fulfill your wishes for us, and may we, as a nation and as individuals, always know that you will never forsake us. Amen.
Anna Hartt
