kEEP prESSING on

When you are in a race (or a contest?) you know there is a destination. You pace yourself for lap 1, lap 2, lap 3. You mentally get in the game “I just have to make it to X …” or “at this point I am going to be weary but I will drink more water and press on …” Sometimes in a contest you do it with someone in mind. “I will finish strong for my son. I will complete my degree to show my children they can do it.” etc etc etc 

I think we as Christians need to encourage and remind one another on the mindset we have in this part of the journey. 

Christians - sadly - in American culture have looked at government and politics: 

- ignoring it exists 
- with disdain “it’s so dirty why touch it” 
- with lack of hope “we could never change it so why try” 
- with fear “if I do the wrong thing I’ll get in trouble so I’ll play below the radar” 
- with a lack of understanding 
- and with a time limit “if I get through election then it’s over and life goes back to normal.” 

I think we need to challenge fellow Believers to consider this prayer, “Father God, change my mindset so that I see this opportunity for influencing culture not as an item on my checklist but as a way of life not only for me - but also for my family.” 

KNOW THESE TRUTHS
I was recently preparing for a book club on the book God and Government by Chuck Colson (yes, the Charles Colson who started Prison Fellowship). He is telling the story of the uprise of Hitler, the struggle of the pastors, the compromise of the church, the stand of the courageous leaders, the agony of the government officials - and so much more and here is where all this has to do with you and me. 

We need to get four things straight: 

1. YOU were put on this earth for this time, for good things, and with God’s confidence that you can do great feats 

2. YOU aren’t in this alone. So many others are feeling the pull and the pressure with you. 

3. Jesus IN US has solutions - but WE have to be willing to act and obey 

4. IF WE DO NOTHING, we lose (and our future loses): Maybe not “now” but maybe tomorrow, maybe in 5 years, maybe in 15 years, maybe in 2 weeks. 

I read these stories of what life was like “back then” at the verge of World War II when people were being shuffled off to concentration camps and standard were being redefined and it’s easy to see so much parallel today. 

We CANNOT GIVE IN. We need to RECOMMIT and PRESS ON. We need to spend MORE TIME in the Word and getting to know the Identity of our Father and therefore grow in our confidence of His identity in us. Our freedom futures demand our engagement. And as Christ followers WE have access to the best solutions: ones God has ready to download to us from Heaven. We cannot give in but we must double our efforts and press on. 

MOVING FORWARD
The examples WE SET, the ideas WE CHAMPION, the paths WE LEAD show our children and friends how to live.
 
What we do on the local level gets noticed and spreads. And when ONLY THE PROGRESSIVES AND ANTI-FREEDOM, ANTI-LIFE PEOPLE STAND AND SPEAK as the louder voice, and the conservatives and Bible loving saints sit quietly by - the world sees what boundaries they can cross. And more importantly Heaven sees. And our lack of voice and our lack of action makes a difference. 

I still believe that we as Christ followers — those who love Him, are praying - and who are willing to take action can and will change things. 

I want to encourage you to stay in the journey with me. 

We are in a battle that is part of a larger war. I hate that the agony of the November 2020 election continues. I hate that China’s assault on us through the virus presses on. However, I REJOICE because so much “crud” that has been underground, so many of us that needed to be shaken, so many things that needed to be repaired are now in the spotlight and if we will partner with the Father we will see the greatest days yet ahead. 

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ONE LAST WORD
Please friends, encourage YOUR friends - we might be weary but do not give up. We MUST have a mindset that we are in the race for the long haul - it’s called life. NEVER did God intend that we would be momentary cultural warriors. 

Again, may we as Christians be surrendered to God, “Change my mindset so that I see this opportunity for influencing culture not as an item on my checklist but as a way of life not only for me - but also for my family. Give me the courage to say YES to You, God this week to step into the unknown for the glory of God and the good of others.” 

If we will let Him - the greatest days the world has ever known are before us now. 

Keep pressing on. ​