We are at a critical time in American history. Over and over again I am hearing ministers and pastors communicate this truth, and not even necessarily about the upcoming election. In general, America is in trouble with racial tensions, pandemics, financial uncertainty, weather anomalies, political divisions, and even unsafe conditions on some of our streets. Everyone knows it. It is all around us and everywhere we look – in the news, social media, and even in sports. We have not seen challenges in this country of this magnitude since times of war. The good news is that in the church we have the answer to these challenges.
It is not going to help anyone or anything to ignore the obvious condition that we are in. It also will not be beneficial for us just to keep on pressing forward without the recognition of our challenges. God has allowed us as a country to come to this point in history to realize our need and dependence upon Him for our well-being. If we press ahead without change, without repentance, without transformation, then things will only grow worse. It is like someone who has a serious infection and needs medical attention but insists on not going to the doctor. You can see the swelling, redness and puss, but there is that allusive hope that it will all just go away. But without a miracle from God, it will not just go away; it will lead to dire and devastating circumstances if left untreated.
Like it or not, that is where we are at in America, and we can not ignore it; we cannot push through it; we must turn to the Lord and have breakthrough, or the consequences will be catastrophic for our country. On the one hand I am very encouraged to hear about ministries and Christian organizations all over America emphasizing prayer and repentance. On the other hand, I am very aware that the reason that so many ministries are focusing on prayer and repentance is because they recognize the seriousness of the moment that we are in.
America is in a cocoon right now. It is called the chrysalis stage, and the worst thing that you can do for a butterfly when it is in the chrysalis stage is to cut it open and try and let the butterfly out. The cocoon is meant to provide protection and resistance so that the butterfly can gain strength in its wings and gain the ability to fly. If the cocoon is opened or if the chrysalis stage is incomplete, the butterfly will never fly and it will eventually die. America needs to work through the chrysalis stage and resolve issues like systemic racism and address other injustices like abortion. If we do, then we will fly; if not then we will eventually die.
We don’t need a vaccine. We don’t need the right president. We don’t need more conservative Supreme Court justices. No matter how much I would like these things right now, what we really need is the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the truth of our condition right now. Don’t seek the counterfeit alternative to the cure. Don’t take the pain killers. Go to the One who can cure you. That is my encouragement for the church and for you as followers of Christ. Now is the time to press in, and now is the time to pray, fast, repent, and turn to the Lord. Don’t fall asleep in the 11th hour!
~Pastor Jeff Niederstadt