America's line of despair
"There is a line of despair" that crosses the width of our nation, like a tumor, pulsating, spreading, becoming wider and wider, motivated by fear, it grows unabated.
Irreconcilable differences, is a term used most notably when divorce has become inevitable in a marriage union. This term basically concludes there is no way back to reconciliation. There is never a way back to reconciliation as long as fear motivates our agendas. Divorce is inevitable because fear cannot trust. Can you really trust someone you fear?
In reality our political divorce happened some time ago, we just remain together on the vague hope that our Founders left us something tenable. How long can we hold on living in this despair? Which media outlet hasn't inundated us with this dire picture of our wrangling among the liberal left and the conservative right? How can we reconcile such outright disdain for each other?
Jimmy Papas' My Turn article from Nov. 27 is a poster child example of the divisive political climate. He uses words like the following to describe his fellow American (Republicans). "A ruthless, disrespectful and rancid hatred that has invaded our politics" "These Tea Party Supremacists" "These pathetic hypocrites" "These economic terrorists" "What we are witnessing here is another self-righteous cult trying to re-interpret the Holy Bible to justify their unholy and self-serving agenda" "Reckless congressional Republican racists" "Stopping these useless hijackers dead in their tracks." This sounds like disdain but in reality it is fear. What would Mr. Pappas do with this, "ruthless, reckless, useless, racist, group of terrorists" which encompasses approximately half of the population of our country? Maybe begin by being "more polite and tactful." Does it sound like he is open for reconciliation or a divorce?
I am not sure we can blame anyone for the climate and the frustration. May I ask then, what is the solution? Will the continued playbook of the autonomous modern man bring reconciliation? In his book "Escape from Reason," Francis Schaeffer wrote, "There is a line of despair that runs through our country. What is this despair? It arises from the abandonment of the hope of a unified answer for knowledge and life." If Schaeffer is right, the season of Thanksgjiving is a timely alternative to the destructive status quo. The other day I heard a lady on the radio, her voice radiated the joy of her life - there was no despair shaking her foundations. She gave as the reason for her hope "Thanks living." She was living a life of thankfulness to God. Who and what she was thankful for made all the difference.
Our Founders did leave us something tenable - we were left a "unified answer for knowledge and life." "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Thankfulness can turn a fearful heart and a despairing nation around. To say we are a Christian nation is doubtful, but to say we are not founded on Biblical principles is treason to the facts.
God is the unified answer - following His principles is the antidote "Love your neighbor." Here's something to think about at this time of the year. Christ came to save the lost; Christmas is right around the corner. The Bible says, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" so all are lost - therefore everyone, "Created equal by their creator" needs a savior. That is why Christ died - shed his blood to pay a price we could not pay - which ensures eternal life.
The Christ we see at the beginning of the New Testament is not the Christ who is soon to return in glory. Revelation 19:11-16 says, I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.
Unless we know and follow this King we have no hope, just eternal despair. This probably sound like an old Jewish proverb and too quaint for our circumstances, but "Let's be thankful." And not despair. Continued "Thanks Living" to you.
Bob Holliday is a Post Falls resident.