The State of the Union

The State of the Union speech is an event where the President of the United States provides an assessment of the position, health and overall outlook of the USA. It’s also a platform to try and generate support for certain goals and policies the current administration would like to see accomplished during the upcoming few years. I think that the State of the Union address is a good time to review the direction the US seems to be taking, and by doing that we can compare what the people of the US are doing with the Word of God (which is the direction God would have us take). I think this is a very important thing to do, especially since there appear to be several factors developing which can significantly influence the character – and fate – of this nation.

There is a lot of noise about what’s going on. Liberals, Conservatives, Centrists, Republicans, Independents and Democrats all have their opinions about what society should be like and in how we should get there. I myself could be labeled as a Conservative Republican, but I’m not sure that label means what is used to. I’m not even sure it means what it SHOULD mean! The thing that has been impressing me more and more is that there is a growing disconnect between what conservatism stands for now, and what it used to stand for. There has been a growing sentiment in the Republican Party about the need for change. Many seem to think that, as Republicans, we need to be less ridged on social issues and focus more on tax issues and such. I couldn’t disagree more!

The real focus we should have as we look at the state of the union is the Word of God. Whatever political party you belong to, or even if you don’t belong to any party at all, is inconsequential if the spiritual state of the people is at odds with the King of Heaven. All the hot topics of the day, like homosexual marriages, abortion and illegal immigration, are just symptoms of the same common ailment – lives lived without the presence and direction of God and His Word. If we continue to become distracted by the things in life, without continually refocusing on the One Who has the answers to those things, then we become powerless. This powerlessness leads to frustration and anger, not solutions. The Word of God states plainly that there is a significant danger associated with this distraction;

Matt 24:12-14
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

It is easy to get discouraged when you see all the stuff going in the world, and even in the church! I can get discouraged, too. But I have been inclined more and more to stop looking at the things in the world (which will only get worse until Jesus comes) and look to the One Who gives me strength!

Ps 121:1-2
I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.