I Don't Belong

My last post was a dedication to the fallen soldiers buried in Luxembourg, and my emotional response to their death and burial in a foreign land. Patriotism and nationalism have always run deep in me.

But as I grow older, I’m viewing things differently. Our culture is changing at a rapid pace from God-fearing to God-denying and rebelling. I cannot merge my faith in Jesus Christ with the counterculture I live within.

If someone had told me twenty, fifteen, ten, or five years ago about the atrocities I hear about today in my precious America, I would have openly defied their heresy and treason.

            Human trafficking rising at alarming rates.

            Unwarranted killings against police officers in major US cities.

            Americans signing up with militant groups like ISIS.

            SCOTUS voting to mandate states to marry same sex couples.

            Christians as a minority.

            Technology increasingly becoming more important in our lives.

            Presidents who don’t get elected on character and capability, but dishonesty and political           correctness.

            Majority rule has become a collapsing principle as minority groups take public opinion             polls to an alarming consensus.

            Pornography on every level is increasing and accepted . . . 70+ million women readers             put the book “Fifty Shades of Gray” on every household tongue.

Thank heaven for the Bible and my faith that tell me I am just a sojourner here.

“It’s not home when men sell their souls

and the taste of power is sweet.

Where wrong is right and neighbors fight

while the hungry are dying in the street.

Where kids are abused and women used;

and the weak are crushed by the strong.

Nations gone made, Jesus is sad, and I don’t belong.”

(Buddy Greene’s “I Don’t Belong”)

My grandmother once said that dying was not the worst thing that could happen to a person. She’s right. As we age, we begin to look toward our eternal home because this place feels foreign; it doesn’t feel like home anymore.

 “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Hebrews 13:14)

“I don’t belong, but while I’m here,

I’ll be living like I’ve nothing to lose and

while I breathe, I’ll just believe

my Lord is going to see me through.

I’ll not be deceived by earth’s make believe,

I’ll close my ears to her siren song.

By praising His name; I’m not ashamed

cause I don’t belong.”

(Buddy Greene’s “I Don’t Belong”)

I don’t belong here with the changes this country is making. But, while I’m looking forward to my eternal home, I have to remember God needs me to be present here as long as I’ve got breath in my body. I have praising and worshipping to do. I have people to see in order to spread the Word about Jesus. I have Bible studies to write and teach. I have to stay vigilant and firm, armored up and ready to hit the battlefield when Satan rears his ugly head.

Patriotism and nationalism may still have a soft spot in my heart, but my allegiance is in God’s Kingdom. I’m just a foreigner passing through on my way to Glory!!!

God bless you all!