America is a religious nation! Compared to Europe, Australia, and other 'first world' nations, the USA is way out front in percentages of people who regularly attend church, who support religious charities, and who profess belief in a Personal God, who can be known and loved. Before you break out in praises, let me hasten to say that while I am glad for this, it is a small comfort for this pastor in all that for two reasons.
The first has to do with the so-called Millennial Generation, those born in the two decades spanning 1977 to 1997. That generation is bringing us a rapidly changing set of values. They are just now beginning to assume places of power and influence. They have disdain for traditions and 'Truth,” including religious dogma. They are wired, connected to one another in such a way they shut out the voices (and influence) of their elders. yes, they are 'spiritual,' but in a most experiential way; swayed by what 'feels right' more than what they are told is right by experts. They doubt the integrity of the institutions that provide social stability. The next 25-30 years is going to be interesting for the Church. As the Millennial generation takes over our pulpits, I wonder if they will lead America to quickly become a secular society like those in Europe. Or, in the mysterious ways of God, will a religious revival shake the American psyche like the awakening that changed millions of lives in the early 70's? The the so-called "Jesus People" movement of that era produced the evangelical and charismatic churches that many of us worship in today, where contemporary forms of worship and conversational prayer are the norms.
The second reason that I find small comfort in American religiosity is that for many people overt Christianity is just another way to 'pay the dues,' to make a tacit deal with the Almighty. "I'll show up for church and support the American Cancer Society, and You, Lord, make sure that the social contract that provides me a good life stays intact." Perhaps that is much too cynical, but I can say this with certainty, preaching total commitment and self-sacrifice is not a prescription for growing a mega-church in religious America! Many sermons are just re-packaged "me-ism" about a therapeutic God and a Jesus who dispenses endless love and favor to us because we are so important to Him. There's just enough truth to make it all sound right, but not enough to really change our hearts and minds!
Reading the prophets this week - Hosea, Amos, Joel - I see that they, too, wrestled with a changing society that enjoyed great blessings. The people to whom they preached loved their wealth, their wine, and their idol gods. The prophets, living in the world but listening to the music of Heaven, saw the coming judgment of God. Hosea actually lived his sermon! His wife, Gomer, ran off with other men more than once, a lesson of the spiritual adultery of God's bride, the Jewish nation. Just as Gomer's infidelity enraged and broke Hosea's heart, so the Jews' waywardness infuriated God, but still He longed to show them love.
This nation, which He has blessed with unparalleled opportunities, with wealth and influence of a magnitude that no other nation in all of recorded history has ever known, must surely face the heavy hand of God discipline unless we turn again to Him. The shallow experiential religiosity of the Millennials and the "Christianity Lite" of many who occupy church pews is an offense to His glory and majesty which He cannot overlook for long.
Joel, the prophet, heard the Lord God say, "Now, therefore, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” The prophet followed up God's invitation with this advice. "So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. " (Joel 2:12-13, NKJV) Enough of the superficial religiosity, the emotionalism and excitement that the flesh craves, but passes as quickly as thunderstorm, leaving little genuine spiritual change. Rip up your heart in a true sign of desire for transformation. It's not too late to discover a deep passion for holiness and Truth, for God is very patient.
Read this ancient prophecy and invite God, the Holy Spirit, to make it speak to your heart today."O Israel, come back! Return to your God! You’re down but you’re not out. Prepare your confession and come back to God. Pray to him, “Take away our sin, and accept our confession. Receive as restitution our repentant prayers. Assyria (our powerful neighbor) won’t save us; horses won’t get us where we want to go. We’ll never again say ‘our god’ to something we’ve made or made up. You’re our last hope. Is it not true that in you the orphan finds mercy?” God replies - “I will heal their waywardness. I will love them lavishly. My anger is played out. I will make a fresh start with Israel. He’ll burst into bloom like a crocus in the spring. He’ll put down deep oak tree roots; he’ll become a forest of oaks! He’ll become splendid—like a giant sequoia, his fragrance like a grove of cedars!" (Hosea 14:1-6, The Message)
Those who claim that the Lord God of the Old Testament is a vengeful, wrathful, graceless God just do not know what they are talking about. He's always loved His People and He still does.Today, His people are not those of a nation or a race, but those who have received His Spirit through faith in Christ Jesus. That Spirit, says Joel, will bring new visions, new dreams - a rebirth of God's glory among those who really love Him. Ah, friend, the question is - "Do you love Him whole-heartedly, for Who He is, beyond the blessings, for more than the promise of a good life?"
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"Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. ” (Joel 2:13, The Message) Amen.
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