There's been a lot of talk about the sequestration that will automatically go into effect on March 1, 2013 if Congress is unable to come to an agreement regarding our national debt crisis of $16 trillion.
Businesses in the private sector will not be sequestered, only government agencies and its employees. I say "only" because many have purported that since the sequestration will affect a minority of the population, these talks are merely "scare" tactics our government is trying to employ in order to rouse the public to force their congressional leaders (particularly the Republican leaders) to acquiesce and completely agree with the President and the Democratic party's solutions for the deficit.
Unfortunately, a number of these thoughtless conversations that lack compassion for those who will be dramatically affected by these across-the-board cuts, are coming from the mouths and keyboards of Christians.
"for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world..."Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers."~Philippians 2:13-15, 2 Timothy 2:14
I'm grieved to see fellow believers swept away by the undertow of worldly complaining and finger pointing. As children of the Most High God, we're endowed with the supernatural ability to rise above petty and unfruitful bickering. In Christ, we are gifted with eternal eyes; to see our lives and everything in this world through the lens of our Savior who freed us from the slavery of sin and darkness.
Our family and loved ones are some of the "minority" that will be affected by these cuts. Some are facing possible lay-offs while others, like our family, are facing the mandatory one day, unpaid leave (per pay period) that is required for all government employees.
However, our family is not distressed by the sequestration—our hope is in Christ, our sovereign King. But we are distressed by the lack of love, compassion, concern and prayers displayed by our brothers and sisters in Christ (John 13:35); for our country, for the salvation of our leaders, and for one another.
However, our family is not distressed by the sequestration—our hope is in Christ, our sovereign King. But we are distressed by the lack of love, compassion, concern and prayers displayed by our brothers and sisters in Christ (John 13:35); for our country, for the salvation of our leaders, and for one another.
Having been set free from the futility of our minds, our heavenly Father has given us the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), whom through His Holy Spirit, enables us to clearly understand and pursue holiness (2 Peter 1:3) in every aspect of our lives—to be conformed into the image of Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 3:14, Romans 8:28-29).
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins."~2 Peter 1:3-9
God has not commanded us to figure out why depraved people are given power, why bad decisions are made, why conflicts are inevitable and why true peace can't be manufactured by man...we know why. We, who have been saved by the Father of truth, know the truth, and we have been set free from all the uncertainties of this world. God has set our feet upon His Rock, making our steps secure (Ps 40:2).
When we allow ourselves to waste precious time clamoring about political injustices that infringe upon our personal affinities and worldly comforts, we dismiss our Father's command to pray for our government leaders (1 Tim 2:1-4) and especially for brothers and sisters in Christ who are most affected by things God considers precious: the life of an unborn child, trials His children endure, and pure love overtly manifested within the body of Christ (James 4:17).
"You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him."~2 Timothy 2:1-4
Brothers and sisters who are participating in the complain and blame game, I plead with you, please...stop sinning. Obey God. Remember your joy, hope and perspective about life is in Christ alone. It is secure. It is good. Therefore, let us spend our time giving thanks, interceding in prayer, encouraging peaceful conversations seasoned with grace, and filled with worship, to the praise and glory of our Father who is in Heaven (Philippians 1:9-11, 1 Thess 5:16-18, Heb 13:14-15, James 3:17-18).
And to my brothers and sisters who are being affected by this sequestration, please remember, our lives are not our own, we are hid and protected in Christ from all fear and dread that this life brings. We are children of the Most High God who has every hair on our heads numbered, and ensures that the sparrows that neither sow or reap, have plenty and are well cared for; how much more does our compassionate Father care for us?
Read Psalm 121 to quiet and refresh your soul (Zeph 3:17), and be encouraged by Psalm 37:23-25 below.
"The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he [man] delights in His [God's] way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread."
Psalm 37:23-25
I love and pray for you all. Soli Deo Gloria.
