"...13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one..."- Hebrews 11:13-16
Good morning. At one time or another, many believers turn to Hebrews 11 and its examples of faith for inspiration. However, this morning I believe the Hebrew writer can also offer seasoned Christians terrified by the upcoming election what they need most...assurance and direction. And when you think about it, what good is inspiration without assurance and direction?
As mentioned last week, I find the 2016 Election causing a rising wave of fear and anguish among those who have been Christians for 40 years or more. I believe this dread and despair comes from a belief that the country of their youth was somehow more committed to morality, family, and the rule of law than this current generation. The history of America does little to support such a belief. Throughout its history, America has been a confounding mix of promise and contradiction, incredible highs and tragic lows.
Even when "The Greatest Generation" liberated Europe in WW II, it did so in segregated units and black veterans returned home to find that they had not been liberated from separate drinking fountains and violent discrimination. Like all human governments and nations, America has always been tragically flawed and never really had a garden of Eden where everything and everyone was harmoniously perfect.
If Hebrews 11 teaches us anything, it's that a believer's pursuit for a better country in this broken world is an exercise in futility. And why? According to the Hebrew writer, this is because what the believer is looking for exists outside this earthly sphere. For the logic of fallen nations operate from a position of self-preservation that is more concerned with keeping things from getting worse for some rather than making things better for all.
My own experiences have only strengthened my belief that one of the church's primary duties is to clean up the spills and messes that world governments make. So what is the Christian to do? Just do nothing and let the country fall apart? By no means. The believer should engage our broken system to insist that it fulfills its obligations to justice more than demanding it meet the requirements of righteousness.
I don't expect I can persuade America to make itself last so that third-world countries can be first, but I should do what I can to see it delivers a great education to every child within its borders. I don't suppose I can convince America to beat its drones into plowshares, but I should do what I can to see it offers my retired diabetic clients the ability to afford both their insulin and their utility bill. I don't presume I can motive America to wash the feet of its traitors, but I should do what I can to see it protects affordable housing regardless of location.
With Hebrews 11 as a guide, there is a chance that we will not receive all the fruits of our labor, that we might welcome the fruition of all our hopes at a distance. It may very well be for some future generation to possess what we strive for today living by faith. So as we draw closer to November, I encourage believers of all ages to take heart and do not be afraid. And let not the candidates' promises to make this country great satisfy our longing for that country residing in the heavenly realm, which will always be the better country.
CJE