Cease Striving and KNOW

Quite a year we are having, eh?
More than likely, all those day planners that people bought anticipating another year of the same old have been relegated to the trash long ago.  Between the engineered alarm over COVID and the resulting lockdown in most states (only now being eased somewhat), the riots of self-acclaimed Marxists and anarchists supposedly protesting police brutality, and the proliferation of hurricanes, you have to wonder what is going on?
In an earlier blog (August 19th), I stated that these days were perilous indeed and asked if our country could continue in light of all that was happening.  There has been little discussion or sharing of views, it seems, more often a strident screaming of accusations and half-truths that leaves us all wondering, as was once stated,

What is truth?” retorted Pilate…”
Jn. 18:38 NIV

Unlike Pilate, there seems an abundance of those expressing ‘truths’ (some, indeed, doing so sincerely) in the past months, and it is increasingly difficult to sort what is and isn’t so.  As stated in the earlier blog, it does make me wonder if we are looking at the death throes of a once United States of America.  I don’t know, and, frankly, I am more and more resigned to the end of our founding fathers' dream. 
 
I had a lengthy conversation with a good friend, and during this, he asked me a pointed question;  where is my citizenship as a disciple of Jesus?  He asked this when I’d shared my frustration at the disregard so many had for our men and women's sacrifices in preserving our nation.  The apostle Paul has stated that all in Christ are citizens of heaven (Php. 3:20).  I knew this, but how he phrased the question had me asking where my focus was; am I so centered on the here and now that any who heard me would wonder at my claim to be a citizen of heaven?  Honestly, it seems my emphasis has been more on my citizenship as an American and less as an ambassador of Christ.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:20 NASB

It seems that my behavior in recent days has been far short of what God calls me to be.  Would my behavior and conversation give someone a taste of heaven or hell?  How can I expect anyone who knows me to have a desire for Jesus when I so poorly represent Him?  Where is my citizenship?

Regardless of what is happening, my heavenly citizenship should leave me able to trust that God is sovereign, and all of this is no surprise to Him.  As an American, it scares me to see the voices that are predominant in our land and that, at times, I have added to the stridor.  As Americans, we can have widely differing views about our nation without resorting to attacks and defamation.  As citizens of heaven, our actions and our words should be a calming influence.  Whoever occupies the White House or any seat in Congress is not that important.  As Chuck Swindoll once put it, “The Kingdom of God does not arrive on Air Force One!” 
 
So, even if this nation will not long remain, that should not bother me as it has been doing.  God is sovereign over all nations and will accomplish His purpose in the way and time that He has chosen.  My duty as an ambassador of Christ is to show those around me the peace and hope that can only come through a surrendered life to Jesus. 
 
Something I will need to remind myself of in the coming days; The title comes from Psalm 46:10 and is a reminder of what God calls His children to at all times.