I am an 84 year old woman who believes in God. I have had a strong Christian faith all my life but my faith strengthened when I was miraculously healed from CNS lymphoma. I was suddenly diagnosed with brain cancer in 2010 and told I had seven weeks to live. I am a living miracle which gives me proof Jesus is real. I was 5 years old, in kindergarten, when WW II broke out. Then the Korean War followed by Vietnam added to our country's unrest. I was married having babies during the 60s when riots broke out, and I was a parent of teenagers when 'free love' became popular. I have observed how church attendance grows, as happened the month after 9/11 and then suddenly dissipates. God is our Creator, Provider and Redeemer who loves us. When He speaks, I listen. Do we all listen?
There is a Bible verse that rings in my ears. II Chronicles 7: 14......."if My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." This verse is quoted many times these days as we witness the hatred that has exploded in our country. In fact, both President Ronald Reagan and Vice President Mike Pence held the Reagan Bible open to II Chronicles 7:14 when each took their oath of office.
The lack of trust in our government, the twisting of truth, the passion to verbally destroy leaders in our capital, is horrible! And here we are, tax paying citizens watching all this distrust before us and unable to do a thing. Many of us refuse to even listen to the news reports they are so depressing. Then I read and study II Chronicles 7:14 and I remember God is in control of everything. He wants me to "humble myself, pray, and seek His face and turn from my wicked ways".
In our culture being 'humble' is probably not on top of our list. We feel it's important to have goals and accomplish those plans ourselves. We don't need help. we tell ourselves, we have a good brain, hold a record of accomplishments and really believe we're 'pretty good'. But God wants us to be humble, not boast, not tell everyone how great we are, because by being humble, we show love and respect and encouragement to our acquaintances.
God also wants us to pray. I've read many books on prayer and what always impresses me is the word 'passion'. When we pray passionately, we may cry, sing, shout, or laugh and let our hearts speak into those prayers. When we pray, don't be bored and let our minds wander, questioning "Oh, what are we going to have for dinner tonight?" God listens to our serious prayers! God knows us inside and out and He knows if our prayers are genuine.
What does God mean when He says, "seek My face"? I think He means look for Me, listen to Me, follow Me, feel My love, know Me, obey Me, because by doing that I become the person He wants me to be.
God strongly wants me to turn from my 'wicked ways". I could respond by saying, "Me wicked? I haven't killed anyone, haven't robbed a bank. So, I'm not wicked." But when I think about it, have I hurt someone emotionally? Have I pushed someone out of the way so I can be satisfied? Have I twisted the truth so I look good? By turning from my wicked ways I repent and admit I have been sinful. 'Sinful' is a difficult word these days. But remember, ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden we, as a people, are not perfect. We are all 'sinners'.
If I become humble, pray to God, seek God, and repent, God promises that He will hear my prayers He will forgive me for all the stupid, thoughtless things I've done. And, most importantly, He will "heal" my land, the United States of America. What a promise! What a statement! I am one lowly, insignificant old woman in this great, wonderful, free country. Yet my response to Almighty God will be one sincere, passionate, believing, trusting, obedient act. Change starts with me. May we all feel so committed.
