Instead of sharing our success and blessings with the rest of the world, we have acted like the wicked servant. America's pride has been her curse. We have created our own little castles where we all have drawn lines, separating ourselves from one another. What lines am I talking about? The obvious lines of segregation, culture, religion, socioeconomic barriers and the multiple compartments and cliches that only exist to foster their own sort of legitimacy.
I believe that God's vision for America, was to be a place where a few could find and restore the teachings of Jesus the Messiah. Of course the enemy had plans for America as well. His plans were the unfair treatment of the Native American, the enslavement of African Americans, the glorification and idolization of material goods, commerce, and money. A nation that could have enough influence to globally spread a culture intoxicated with foul language, sex, abortion, homosexuality, selfishness, greed, and war.
Now don't get me wrong, America has been a blessing as well. We have sent out Bible's and missionaries to the ends of the earth! The story of the ever present good vs evil has been the tale of humanity. Of course it usually has a climax and an ending where the good prevails. I 100% believe that this will happen, but the climax and the struggle is about to soon surface.
Now all of last year during deep prayer, God would pour into my spirit the idea of a "great shaking" that would soon occur. I'm starting to slowly put it all together. I do not believe America, as we know it today, has much time left. I believe a this "shaking" will have a global impact. I also believe that God is raising up a spiritual army who have been born for this moment that is coming.
Unlike the popular prosperity preachers, I do not believe America will not be able to run away from her sins. I believe God can forgive her, but I believe that we will all feel, at some level, the web of her sins that have entangled her for so long. In fact, this mere thought makes me think of the story of Sampson. Now in this story, Sampson was born to protect his people. Of course Sampson really failed miserably, but in his last dying moments, Sampson found his purpose. In his last moments, he gave up his own will and found forgiveness from God.
Of course, we see in the story that Sampson was not delivered from his past sins that had entangled him, as he died with his occupiers. In his death though, Sampson delivered his people! It's interesting to note that Sampson's body did not stay among those he died with. In fact, the Bible says that Sampson's body was exhumed by his Father Manoah, who's name means "rest." Sampson did not stay in the same decaying and corruptible state was the uncircumcised and unrepentant Philistines. Sampson's body was exhumed by a man, who's name means "rest" and placed in a land that God promised would be a place of rest!
Now like Sampson I've been asleep as well, folding to the pressures of life and to the prevailing thoughts of those who do not know God or fear him. I folded to the idea that our day of reckoning wouldn't come any time soon. Instead of being a watchman, I pursued my own life and the pleasures of it. I feel as America needs a screaming watchman at every corner, warning it's people of the coming destruction due to it's ways.
Anyway, I couldn't sleep last night. I have been consumed with these thoughts and also the thought of the church failing to be the beacon of light that was called to be. A light to illuminate the world, but instead we have allowed the glittering success that surrounds us to blind many of us. I don't quite know what this all means, but I know there is a message in this. I'm not sure where God is leading me but like Sampson I feel like my own vision is gone. I just hope that this story will allow someone else to gain some vision, but maybe these words are just meant for myself. Maybe these words are just a testament to God's vision being restored in my life. Only time will tell.
May the name of Jesus be a blessing to you.
(I uncovered the mystery of Sampson entering rest, all while I was deprived of it! (I received this message at 4 a.m. this morning. God has a sense of humor!)