And Now We Wait

I went and voted after work, but I'm not entirely sure my vote will count, since I didn't post a photo of my "I Voted" sticker to social media.  

Relax.  It's a joke.  

So, now we wait for the election results.  I won't be glued to the TV, because no matter who wins, I still have to get up at 3:30 AM for work.  

And while we wait, God waits for us to repent and turn from our wicked ways. 

You know, I think this is probably one of the most misinterpreted verses in the Bible.  

Far too many people seem to think it means if those heatherns will suddenly start acting right...If lost people will come to Christ...if they...if those people...if, if, if....But, no.  Read the verse again...

It says, "if MY people, who are called by MY name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways."  

If MY people...MY people.

God isn't talking to the lost here.  He's talking to his church.  He's talking to US.  

The church has become lukewarm.  

The church has lost its saltiness.  

The church has become virtually indistinguishable from the world it's supposed to be in but not of.  

A few years ago, I actually heard a pastor's wife say that you can't say you truly love the sinner if you don't embrace and affirm the sin.  No wonder people are leaving the church in such great numbers.  They look at us and wonder, what is even the point. 

Even our church services have become little more than a praise band concert followed by a motivational speech to pump us up to get through the week.  We need to get back to preaching the Bible.  We need to get back to living like sons and daughters of God.  We need to become the salt and light of the world again. 

Then, and only then, will He hear, forgive, and heal our land.  And then we will be a blessed nation once more.