Tag: Prayer

Fire Ants And American Politics

Sometimes, the smallest things can teach us the biggest lessons.

Several months ago, I accidentally stepped into a pile of fire ants.

Before I even knew what was happening, those little monsters were crawling all over my left ankle and lower left leg. And let me tell you, it didn’t take long for things to go from bad to REALLY bad.

I had a terrible reaction. What started with a bunch of tiny ants turned into a major infection. That infection triggered a flare-up of my Myasthenia Gravis, and before I knew it, I was fighting for my life in the hospital, spending 11 days in the ICU.

ELEVEN DAYS!

All because I accidentally stepped into a pile of fire ants.

Now, I’ve learned a few things throughout my crazy health journey, but this experience reminded me of something pretty important.

WATCH WHERE YOU’RE WALKING!

Sometimes, we’re moving through life without paying attention to what’s right in front of us. We get comfortable. We get distracted. We assume everything is fine until suddenly, we’re dealing with the consequences of something we never saw coming.

But there’s another lesson I learned during this experience.

THERE’S NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PILE OF FIRE ANTS AND POLITICS IN AMERICA!

Stay with me for a minute.

Fire ants don’t care who you are. They don’t care what you’ve accomplished, how much money you make, what church you attend, or what political party you support. Step into their territory, and they’ll attack.

And once they get going, those little suckers don’t seem to know when to stop!

Sound familiar?

Look at American politics today.

People are getting attacked from every direction. Politicians are taking shots at their opponents. Neighbors are turning against neighbors. Families are arguing across dinner tables. Friendships are falling apart. And people who once stood shoulder to shoulder are now treating one another like enemies simply because they disagree about politics.

Everybody seems to be looking for somebody to attack.

And just like those fire ants, the damage can spread a whole lot faster than we realize.

A little anger becomes bitterness.
A little disagreement becomes hatred.
A difference of opinion becomes a reason to destroy someone’s character.

Before long, the damage isn’t confined to Washington, D.C. It’s in our homes, our churches, our friendships, and our communities.

And here’s the scary part: Sometimes, we don’t realize how much damage is being done until we’re already covered in the mess.

Now, let me be clear. I’m not saying we should ignore politics or stop holding our elected officials accountable. Politics matters. Character matters. Truth matters. The decisions our leaders make affect real people and real families.

But somewhere along the way, too many Americans have forgotten that we can disagree without dehumanizing one another.

And for those of us who call ourselves Christians, we need to take an especially hard look in the mirror.

When did our political party become more important than our Christian character?

When did defending a politician become more important than defending the truth?

When did winning an argument become more important than loving our neighbor?

And when did we start excusing behavior from our favorite politicians that we would never tolerate from our own children?

CHURCH, WE NEED TO WAKE UP!

Jesus didn’t tell us to love our neighbors only when they voted like us.

He didn’t tell us to show grace only to people who agreed with our political opinions.

And He certainly didn’t tell us to abandon His teachings whenever our preferred candidate does something we don’t want to acknowledge.

Our faith should shape our politics. Our politics should never replace our faith.

Remember, a politician isn’t your Savior. A political party isn’t your identity. And winning an election isn’t worth losing your compassion, your integrity, or your witness for Jesus Christ.

So, yes, I learned to watch where I’m walking a little more closely after my encounter with those fire ants.

I learned that something small can create enormous consequences.

I learned that ignoring a problem doesn’t make it disappear.

And I learned that sometimes, by the time you realize what you’re standing in, you’re already in trouble.

Which brings me to my challenge.

AMERICA, WATCH WHERE YOU’RE WALKING!

Pay attention to the hatred we’re allowing to grow. Pay attention to the division we’re excusing. Pay attention to the people we’re hurting in the name of political loyalty.

And Christians, pay attention to what is happening to your hearts.

You can stand for your convictions without standing for cruelty. You can hold politicians accountable without hating their supporters. You can disagree passionately without surrendering your compassion.

We don’t have to agree on everything to treat one another with dignity.

And we don’t have to sacrifice our faith to win a political argument.

After 11 days in the ICU, I can tell you that life is too precious to waste on hatred.

I’ve spent enough time fighting for my life to know that there are far more important things than political victories.

So the next time you’re tempted to jump into a political fight, take a moment to look around.

Ask yourself what you’re standing in.

Because sometimes, the biggest danger isn’t the pile of fire ants you can see.

IT’S THE ONE YOU NEVER NOTICED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE.

And if we’re not careful, America may discover that the damage caused by our political hatred is far worse than we ever imagined.

WATCH WHERE YOU’RE WALKING, AMERICA. THOSE FIRE ANTS ARE EVERYWHERE! ~OC

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Your Identity

Today’s a new day!

The world will try to define you by your past, your mistakes, your failures, your circumstances, and even your struggles. But when your identity is rooted in Jesus Christ, none of those things gets the final word.

Your circumstances may change. Your health may change. Your relationships may change. Your life may take unexpected turns. But your identity in Christ remains the same.

You are loved. You are chosen. You are forgiven. You are redeemed. You are a child of the living God!

Stop allowing the world to tell you who you are when God has already declared whose you are.

You are not defined by what you have been through. You are defined by whose you are!

Walk in that truth. Live in that freedom. And never forget: No matter what changes in your life, you will always be a child of God.

Keep believing. Keep overcoming. Keep your eyes on Jesus! ~OC

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Who Is Really Accountable?

This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. This is an American issue.

Politicians have a way of campaigning against problems they promise to fix, blaming the other party when those problems persist, and asking voters to give them another chance.

But how often do we stop and ask a simple question?

If our elected officials promise to fix America’s problems, why do so many of those problems continue year after year?

Let’s talk about accountability.

You and I don’t write the president’s proposed federal budget. The president does.

You and I don’t vote on federal spending legislation. Congress does.

You and I don’t write federal tax laws. Congress does, with legislation subject to the president’s approval or a congressional override of a veto.

You and I don’t establish the nation’s monetary policy. The Federal Reserve operates under authority established by Congress and is responsible for conducting monetary policy.

These responsibilities are different, but they share one important truth: The people entrusted with government power must answer for how they use it.

FOLLOW THE MONEY. FOLLOW THE VOTES.

Both Democrats and Republicans have held positions of power in Washington.

Both parties have supported spending measures. Both have proposed tax changes. Both have made promises about reducing deficits, improving the economy, protecting Social Security, and making life more affordable.

Yet America continues to wrestle with national debt, budget deficits, rising living costs, healthcare expenses, and disagreements over how taxpayer money should be spent.

These problems have multiple causes. Economic conditions matter. Wars and emergencies matter. Existing laws and long-term spending commitments matter.

But so do the decisions made by elected officials.

When lawmakers approve spending, they should explain how they intend to pay for it.

When politicians promise tax relief, they should explain who benefits, how much it costs, and how the government will make up any lost revenue.

When candidates promise to balance the budget, voters should ask to see a realistic plan.

And when elected officials fail to deliver on their promises, they should be prepared to explain why.

A campaign promise is not a substitute for a record of results.

STOP BLAMING EVERYONE ELSE.

Politicians frequently point fingers at their opponents, previous administrations, economic conditions, federal agencies, and special interests.

Sometimes those explanations are legitimate. No president or member of Congress controls every circumstance that affects the country.

But explanations should never become permanent excuses.

Lobbyists may influence lawmakers, but lobbyists do not cast congressional votes.

Special interests may pressure politicians, but elected officials remain responsible for the decisions they make.

The Federal Reserve influences monetary conditions, but Congress establishes its legal authority and the government has responsibilities that monetary policy cannot replace.

And while the president has considerable influence over national policy, the president cannot unilaterally enact an entire federal budget.

Responsibility belongs with the people who actually possess the authority to make each decision.

That means examining the president’s actions, congressional votes, existing laws, and the decisions of the institutions responsible for implementing public policy.

It also means refusing to let any politician escape scrutiny simply because we support their party.

WHAT ABOUT OUR TAXES?

Americans encounter numerous forms of taxation, including federal income taxes, payroll taxes, state and local income taxes where applicable, sales taxes, property taxes, and various excise taxes.

Some taxes have existed for centuries. Others developed as the economy and government’s responsibilities changed.

The United States also had national debt long before the modern income tax system was established.

So let’s be accurate about history.

The issue is not that every tax is new or that America once operated without any national debt.

The real questions are these:

Are our tax laws fair?

Are public funds being spent responsibly?

Are taxpayers receiving appropriate value for their money?

Are tax burdens distributed in a way that citizens can reasonably defend?

And are elected officials willing to explain the consequences of the tax policies they support?

Those are questions worth asking, regardless of party.

WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR ORDINARY AMERICANS?

While politicians argue, families are trying to pay their bills.

Parents are trying to feed their children.

Workers are trying to keep up with the cost of living.

Small-business owners are trying to stay afloat.

Farmers are trying to make a living.

Older Americans are trying to make their retirement savings last.

People are making difficult decisions about housing, healthcare, groceries, and other necessities.

These are real concerns that deserve serious attention.

No single political party has a monopoly on good ideas, and no party has a record that should be exempt from examination.

If a policy helps Americans, examine the evidence.

If a policy hurts Americans, examine the evidence.

If a politician makes a promise, check the record.

If a politician blames someone else, find out who actually had the authority to make the decision.

And if your preferred candidate gets something wrong, have the courage to acknowledge it.

Loyalty to a political party should never be more important than honesty about the facts.

THE PEOPLE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY, TOO.

We cannot demand accountability from politicians while refusing to hold our own political allies accountable.

We cannot complain about dishonesty while excusing it when it comes from someone we support.

We cannot insist that the other party answer for its failures while ignoring the failures of our own.

And we cannot expect better government if we refuse to look beyond campaign slogans, partisan talking points, and social media posts that confirm what we already believe.

Our elected officials work within a system established by the Constitution and the laws of this country. They have different responsibilities, different powers, and different limitations.

But we, the people, have an essential responsibility as well.

We choose our representatives.

We decide whom to trust with public office.

We have the right to question their decisions, examine their records, contact their offices, and vote them out when we believe they have failed to represent us.

We should not make those decisions based solely on party labels.

We should make them with open eyes, reliable information, and a willingness to hold everyone to the same standard.

HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE.

America’s problems cannot all be blamed on 545 people, one political party, one president, or one generation of lawmakers.

But those entrusted with public power must be held accountable for the decisions they make.

That includes Democrats.

That includes Republicans.

That includes presidents, senators, representatives, and every public official responsible for decisions affecting the lives of ordinary Americans.

No one should receive a free pass because of the letter beside their name.

No one should be allowed to substitute blame for an explanation.

And no one should expect voters to forget broken promises simply because another election is approaching.

If you want to know what a politician stands for, listen to their words. If you want to know what they will do, examine their record.

Ask questions. Demand evidence. Read the legislation. Examine the votes. Challenge misinformation—even when it comes from your own side.

Then, when election day arrives, make an informed decision about who deserves your support.

This isn’t about being a Democrat or a Republican.

It’s about being an American who believes that public service should mean serving the public.

OUR GOVERNMENT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE. OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE. AND ACCOUNTABILITY SHOULD NEVER BE A PARTISAN ISSUE.

The question isn’t whether your party is right.

The question is whether you’re willing to hold your party accountable when it’s wrong.

ARE YOU? ~OC

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I Can’t Do This Without God

Today’s a new day!

I don’t have the strength to face every battle, the wisdom to make every decision, or the answers to every question life throws my way. The truth is, I don’t have what it takes to get through even a single day without God’s guidance, grace, and presence.

Some days, I’m stronger than others. Some days, I’m simply holding on. But every day, I’m reminded that my strength was never supposed to come from me alone.

I don’t need to have everything figured out. I need to trust the One who does.

His grace sustains me. His wisdom guides me. His love reminds me that I’m never walking alone.

Jesus, I need You today, tomorrow, and every day after that. Without You, I am not enough. But with You, I can face whatever comes my way.

Less of me. More of Him. Every single day. ~OC

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Let Me Ask You Something

I don’t know many parents who would embrace and applaud their child making fun of others, bullying people, refusing to take responsibility for their actions, or treating people with disrespect.

Most parents would correct that behavior and teach their children that actions have consequences.

So why do so many people tolerate these very same behaviors from the elected officials they support?

When did political loyalty become more important than character? When did winning become more important than integrity? And when did we decide that behavior we would never accept from our own children was suddenly acceptable in our leaders?

You don’t have to agree with someone’s politics to expect them to demonstrate basic decency, honesty, humility, and accountability.

Character should matter more than party. Integrity should matter more than power. And accountability should apply to everyone.

If we teach our children to take responsibility for their actions, shouldn’t we expect the same from the people entrusted with leading our communities and our country?

Maybe the real question isn’t whether our leaders are setting a good example. Maybe it’s why so many of us have stopped holding them accountable.

Think about that. ~OC

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You Can Make A Difference Everywhere You Go

Today’s a new day!

Never underestimate the impact you can have on someone’s life. A kind word, a genuine smile, a listening ear, or a simple act of compassion can change someone’s entire day.

You may never know what battles someone is fighting behind closed doors, but you can choose to be a little light in their darkness.

You don’t have to change the whole world to make a difference. Sometimes, changing one person’s world is enough.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be His hands and feet everywhere we go. Not just inside the church, but in our homes, workplaces, grocery stores, communities, and even in our everyday conversations.

Go love someone. Encourage someone. Help someone. Be the reason someone believes there is still goodness in this world.

You never know how God might use you when you simply make yourself available.

Make a difference. Spread love. Share hope. Be Jesus to someone today. ~OC

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Wake Up, Church! The Gospel Is Bigger Than Politics

We are less than a month away from the midterm elections. As we enter the final stretch of this election season, one question continues to weigh heavily on my heart:

WHY ARE SO MANY IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHOOSING POLITICS OVER THE GOSPEL?

When did our political affiliations become more important than our Christian convictions? When did defending a political party become more important than defending the poor, welcoming the stranger, loving our neighbors, and showing compassion to those who are hurting?

Somewhere along the way, too many Christians have become more passionate about winning elections than living out the teachings of Jesus.

Let me be clear: Christians should care about politics. The decisions made by our elected officials matter. But our faith should shape our politics, not our politics reshape our faith.

Jesus never told us to build our identity around a political party. He told us to love God, love our neighbors, pray for our enemies, care for the vulnerable, and serve others.

Read the Gospels again. Look at the people Jesus welcomed, the religious leaders He challenged, and the people society pushed to the margins. Then ask yourself an uncomfortable question: Does the way I engage in politics reflect the heart of Jesus?

You don’t have to agree with me politically. You don’t have to vote the way I vote. But if we claim to follow Jesus, shouldn’t we at least agree that His teachings deserve more authority in our lives than any politician, political party, or campaign slogan?

CHURCH, OUR FIRST ALLEGIANCE IS NOT TO A POLITICAL PARTY, A PRESIDENT, OR A NATION. OUR FIRST ALLEGIANCE IS TO JESUS CHRIST.

When the election is over, the political signs will come down. The campaign ads will stop. The winners will celebrate, and the losers will regroup.

But our calling will remain.

Love your neighbor. Feed the hungry. Welcome the stranger. Stand with the vulnerable. Show mercy. Pursue justice. Forgive freely. And love even those with whom you disagree.

So, as we approach Election Day, I leave you with one final question:

When people look at your life, do they see more of your political party or more of Jesus?

Because the world doesn’t need more Christians who simply win political arguments.

IT NEEDS MORE CHRISTIANS WHO LIVE LIKE JESUS.

Church, let’s stop using Jesus to defend our politics and start allowing Jesus to transform our hearts.

That’s when the Gospel becomes more than something we preach. It becomes something the world can actually see. ~OC

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The Bread And The Cup: Jesus Gave Himself For Us

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” ~Luke 22:19–20

What if the bread and the cup represent more than we have ever imagined?

Some Christian scholars and theologians have explored the profound mystery of Christ’s presence in the bread and the cup of Communion. Christians differ in how they understand this mystery, but we can all reflect on the incredible truth behind these elements: 

Jesus was preparing to give everything He had for people He loved.

The bread represented His body, which would be broken. The cup represented His blood, which would be poured out. In both, Jesus was pointing His disciples toward the cross.

But here is what I want us to understand today: Jesus didn’t simply give us something to remember Him by. He gave Himself for us.

Think about that!

He knew Judas would betray Him. He knew Peter would deny Him. He knew His disciples would scatter when the soldiers came. Yet Jesus still broke the bread, shared the cup, and invited them to His table.

He knew their weaknesses, their failures, and their fears. He knew they would not always get it right. And He loved them anyway.

That is the Gospel!

Jesus doesn’t wait for us to become perfect before inviting us to His table. He invites us because we need His grace. We need His forgiveness. We need His presence in our brokenness.

And perhaps that is the challenge for the Church today.

We gather around the Lord’s Table, but are we willing to live out what that table represents? Are we willing to share our bread with the hungry? Are we willing to pour out our lives in service to others? Are we willing to love the people society rejects, forgive those who hurt us, and extend grace to those who believe differently than we do?

It is easy to take Communion on Sunday. It is much harder to live a surrendered life on Monday.

Yet Jesus calls us to both remembrance and action.

When we receive the bread and the cup, we remember the price of our salvation. We remember a Savior who humbled Himself, served others, and loved us all the way to the cross.

And we are reminded that the Christian life isn’t about what we can get from Jesus. It’s about what happens when we allow Jesus to transform us into people who give ourselves in love to others.

A FINAL CHALLENGE:

The next time you receive Communion, don’t rush through the moment.

Look at the bread. Consider His body.

Look at the cup. Remember His blood.

Remember the sacrifice. Remember the grace. Remember the love that held Him to the cross.

Then ask yourself one question:

Because Jesus gave everything for me, what am I willing to give for Him?

Your time? Your comfort? Your pride? Your forgiveness? Your compassion toward someone who feels forgotten?

The bread reminds us of His body given for us. The cup reminds us of His blood shed for us. And the cross reminds us that love is not merely something we say.

LOVE IS SOMETHING WE LIVE.

May we never reduce Communion to a religious ritual. May it always remind us of the Savior who gave Himself for us—and inspire us to become His hands and feet in a broken world.

Jesus gave His life for us. Now let’s live our lives for Him. Amen. ~OC

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A Small Town Doesn’t Equal Nice People

There’s a common belief that small towns are filled with friendly faces, welcoming neighbors, strong communities, and people who genuinely care about one another.

Sometimes, that’s true. But sometimes, the reality is a little different.

Living in a small town doesn’t automatically make someone kind, welcoming, compassionate, or willing to open their heart to someone new.

You can live in a small town and still feel like an outsider. You can smile, introduce yourself, reach out, attend church, and try to build friendships, only to discover that not everyone is interested in welcoming someone new into their circle.

And honestly, that can be disappointing.

Because it’s not about expecting everyone to become your best friend. It’s about the simple things: a friendly conversation, an invitation to join others, a genuine smile, or someone taking the time to make you feel like you belong.

Those little things matter.

Here’s something I’ve learned: A town’s character isn’t measured by its population, but by the way its people treat others.

You don’t have to live in a big city to find unkind people, and you don’t have to live in a small town to find a welcoming community. Kindness has nothing to do with ZIP codes. It has everything to do with character.

And for those of us who call ourselves Christians, this should hit a little closer to home.

Churches should be places where people find community, encouragement, and belonging. They should be places where newcomers are welcomed, not left standing on the outside looking in. Jesus didn’t tell us to love only the people we already know, the people who look like us, or the people who fit comfortably into our existing circles.

He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:35

That kind of love should be visible, not just preached from a pulpit.

Moving somewhere new can be challenging. Building friendships takes time. I understand that not every lack of connection is intentional, and people have their own lives, responsibilities, and struggles. Nobody owes us instant friendship.

But there’s a difference between taking time to build relationships and making no effort to welcome others at all.

So, if you’re fortunate enough to live in a community where people look out for one another, appreciate it. And if someone new moves into your neighborhood or walks through your church doors, consider being the person who makes them feel welcome.

You never know what someone has left behind, what battles they’re fighting, or how much a simple act of kindness might mean to them.

At the end of the day, a small town is just a place on a map. A welcoming community is something people have to build together.

Let’s stop assuming that small towns are automatically friendlier, churches are automatically welcoming, or people are automatically kind.

Instead, let’s become the kind of people who make those things true.

Because the world doesn’t need more people who talk about community.

IT NEEDS MORE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE IT. ~OC

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What Has Happened?

STOP SCROLLING. WE NEED TO TALK.

People are going hungry in America. Families are struggling to put food on the table. Some people are being forced to make an impossible choice between buying groceries and purchasing the medications they need to survive. Gas prices are putting additional pressure on already stretched budgets. Farmers are fighting to keep their operations alive. And America is involved in a war that so many people never wanted to see happen.

Meanwhile, look at what seems to be consuming the attention of our nation’s leadership.

Renaming an ocean. Building a ballroom. Supporting an advertisement that attacks a survivor of childhood rape. And, amid all the political maneuvering, questions about money, power, and who stands to benefit.

STOP AND THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MOMENT.

When families are struggling to survive, shouldn’t their struggles matter?

When people cannot afford their medications, shouldn’t that demand our attention?

When farmers are fighting to keep their livelihoods, shouldn’t we be asking how we can help?

When a survivor of childhood sexual violence speaks out, shouldn’t our first response be compassion rather than cruelty?

Whatever your political party, these are questions of human dignity, priorities, and basic decency.

And that brings me to a question that weighs heavily on my heart.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE CHURCH?

I am talking about the Church that claims to follow Jesus Christ.

The Jesus who fed the hungry.

The Jesus who cared for the sick.

The Jesus who welcomed the outcast.

The Jesus who defended the vulnerable and confronted religious leaders when their actions contradicted their words.

In Matthew 25:40, Jesus reminds us that how we treat the least among us matters to Him.

So how can we claim to follow Jesus while overlooking people who are hungry, struggling, hurting, and desperately trying to survive?

How can we preach about morality while excusing cruelty when it comes from someone whose politics we support?

How can we proclaim the sanctity of human life while showing so little concern for the people who are struggling to live theirs?

And how can we call ourselves followers of Jesus when our political loyalties sometimes seem stronger than our commitment to His teachings?

CHURCH, WE NEED TO TAKE A LONG, HARD LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

Supporting a politician does not automatically make someone a bad Christian. Christians can disagree about policies, priorities, and political solutions.

But no politician should ever become so important to us that we abandon the very principles Jesus taught.

No political party deserves our unquestioning loyalty.

No president should be above accountability.

No political victory should be more important than human dignity.

And no Christian should have to twist the words of Jesus to justify the behavior of a politician.

Our faith should shape our politics, not our politics reshape our faith.

Sadly, too many Christians seem willing to overlook behavior they would condemn if it came from someone on the other side of the political aisle.

That should trouble us.

Not because Christians must agree on every political issue, but because our commitment to truth, compassion, justice, and integrity should never depend on who benefits politically.

If we defend cruelty when it comes from our side and condemn it only when it comes from the other side, what does that say about our character?

If we care more about winning political battles than caring for our neighbors, what does that say about our faith?

And if the world looks at the Church and sees more political allegiance than the love of Jesus, what kind of witness are we offering?

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO AMERICA?

I grew up believing that America was a place where hard work mattered, where helping your neighbor was something to be proud of, and where people could disagree without losing their humanity.

We have never been a perfect nation. We have always struggled with injustice, division, and our failure to live up to our highest ideals.

But we should never stop striving to become better.

We should never become so divided that we stop caring about one another.

We should never become so consumed by politics that we lose sight of the people behind the political arguments.

And we should never accept the suffering of our neighbors as an acceptable price for protecting our political interests.

This is not simply a Republican issue or a Democratic issue.

It is a human issue.

It is a moral issue.

It is about what kind of country we want to be and what kind of people we want to become.

I don’t expect politicians to solve every problem overnight. I don’t expect any administration to be perfect. And I recognize that people can disagree honestly about the best ways to address our nation’s challenges.

But I do expect us to care.

I expect us to demand accountability.

I expect us to defend the vulnerable, tell the truth, and remember that leadership should be about serving people, not simply accumulating power.

And I expect the Church to lead by example.

Not by waving flags from pulpits.

Not by treating politicians like saviors.

Not by excusing behavior that contradicts the teachings of Jesus.

But by feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, standing with the vulnerable, speaking truth to power, and loving our neighbors—even when doing so is politically inconvenient.

Jesus did not tell us to love only the people who vote like us.

He did not tell us to defend only the people who belong to our political tribe.

He called us to love our neighbors.

Period.

CHURCH, AMERICA IS WATCHING. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, GOD KNOWS OUR HEARTS.

Maybe it’s time we stopped asking only what is wrong with the other side and started asking what is wrong with us.

Maybe it’s time we stopped confusing political power with spiritual revival.

Maybe it’s time we remembered that the success of a political movement is not the same thing as the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

And maybe it’s time we returned to the simple, uncomfortable, life-changing teachings of Jesus Christ.

Feed the hungry.

Care for the sick.

Welcome the stranger.

Defend the vulnerable.

Love your neighbor.

Speak the truth.

Practice humility.

Show mercy.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE CHURCH?

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO AMERICA?

Those questions deserve more than angry arguments on social media. They deserve honest reflection, courageous leadership, and a willingness to change.

I don’t want a Church that simply reflects the anger, divisions, and political loyalties of the world.

I want a Church that reflects Jesus.

I want an America where a struggling family matters more than political theater, where human dignity is not determined by political affiliation, and where compassion is not treated as a weakness.

And I want Christians who are willing to hold everyone accountable—including the politicians they support and the religious leaders they admire.

Because following Jesus was never supposed to be about protecting our political team.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT BECOMING MORE LIKE HIM.

America doesn’t need more political idols.

The Church doesn’t need more partisan loyalty disguised as faith.

We need more compassion. More courage. More humility. More truth. More justice. And a whole lot more Jesus.

It’s time to wake up, Church.

It’s time to wake up, America.

And it’s time for all of us to decide what matters most.

Because when political loyalty becomes more important than human dignity, and when the Church becomes more concerned with power than with the people Jesus called us to love, something has gone terribly wrong.

“Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” — Amos 5:24

Lord, forgive us when we care more about winning than loving, more about power than serving, and more about defending our political loyalties than standing for what is right. Break our hearts for the things that break Yours. Teach us to see people before politics, compassion before convenience, and truth before tribal loyalty.

May we never become so consumed with politics that we forget Jesus. ~OC

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