Tonight I got to thinking.
I went to an FOPA meeting because my mom was being inducted as a new member. FOPA is Fraternal Order of Police Association. It is an association that helps with acting police officers with things they need. I found it really neat because the association here in Jacksonville does not hide their religious beliefs. Each and every one of the members believe in God and regardless of whether it is going to "offend" someone or not, they pray before the meetings start and at the closing of them. In our society today, you do not find that very often. In the society we live in, the majority of the time, you find people who are too scared to openly admit their faith in front of large crowds. As I sit and think about that, it truly breaks my heart.
Tonight it was asked... "Do you know our countries motto?" Do you? As time of gone on, and the society has progressed, I think so many of the people have forgotten what our motto is for out country. "In God We Trust" It is an extremely sad thing that so many of us today have forgotten what this country stands for, and what our country was founded on. Our country was founded on Christianity but yet nowadays we have to hide the fact that we are Christians and believe in our Almighty God. We have to keep God out of so many things because we do not want to offend people. That does not make sense to me. If our country was founded on Christianity and our motto is "In GOD We Trust" then why are we hiding that we trust in God?
I believe being offended is a choice. It is my choice, or your choice to be offended with what someone says or believes, but that is what this country stands for - or used to be. If we take God out of the foundation of this country, we lose what we are. If someone is offended, that is their choice. Just like it is their choice to live in America. If you are so much against believing and trusting in God, then you have the ability to go somewhere else. Now with that said, that does not mean we are not supposed to respect the beliefs of other people. That is the point of America. We have our first amendment right, which protects our freedom of speech... And freedom of religion. That gives me, you, and everyone else the opportunity to speak up on your beliefs, and you have the ability to speak about, and practice whichever religion you choose.
I feel that we are almost giving the people in other religions more rights than us Christians because we do not want to offend them, but that is not fair. Honestly, in the end, that makes me feel offended. As a country that was founded on Christianity, and a person who believes wholeheartedly int he Christian beliefs, I am losing my rights to openly speak about it because those who are of other religions, or no religion at all, may be offended.
No... We should not allow the sole foundation of our country to be taken away so easily. We need to take a stand for not only our country, but for our creator - the all powerful God. Stop feeling scared about what other people are going to think of you if you stand up for your God; the one who created your, who purposed you, who has a plan for you, and most importantly, who sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for all of our sins. (John 3:16) Think about it, if you were standing before God, would you ever think of denying Him? Honestly, if you have any Christian background, I do not think you would. Then why would you deny Him in front of other people. In all reality, you are denying Him right in front of Him. He knows everything about you. He knows your thoughts and He knows your actions. What you do down on Earth will be no surprise to Him once you are in heaven. He sees everything you do. When you hide who HE is in front of so many people, all you are doing is keeping them from the chance of learning about our God, and forming a relationship with Him.
We as people already have a relationship with Him. We know who He is so why would you want to hide it? If you know your God, you can not say that He isn't someone wroth knowing. Instead of living in fear of acknowledging who He is, step out in faith and take a stand for Him... Just like He did when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for all of our past, present and future sins.
I used to be scared to openly discuss my faith with other people because I felt like I was not good enough, I have a bad past, I do not know enough, I am a sinner, etc., etc. Truth is none of us will ever be enough, we all have a past, none of us will ever know enough, and all of us will always be sinners. Each and every one of us have room to grow every day, but that is what is so amazing about God... He sent His Son for all of those reasons, to rid us of those burdens. He does not judge us on where we have been, but who we are becoming. And we can not become who we need to be without our God. You may think you know the plans for yourself and you can handle it all, but trust me, Gods plans for you are far better and more powerful than any plan you have for yourself.
Remember our countries motto: "In God We Trust" and let us put that back into the country so others do not forget where the foundation of this country comes from.
Do not let the fear of being judged by others keep you from standing strong in your faith. (I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:11) Let us try to take a stand for who our God is and not let people try to get us to keep Him in hiding. He is too mighty for that.
I will trust in GOD always. I will not forget WHO He is, and WHAT He has done for me. I will no longer live in fear of sharing my beliefs with others because I know the blessings He can pour out on ones life, and I do not want to keep that from someone.
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
