As a former teacher, I absolutely cannot fathom the fear that pierced through the hearts of the Florida teachers and administrators who desperately wanted to protect their students during the recent school shooting. I hurt for the powerless parents who stood numbed by the thoughts of what their children were experiencing and whether they would walk out of that building or not. My heart grieves for the students who innocently went to school and never made it to their after-school activities because their lives were forever altered by evil.
While our nation makes a mockery of itself angrily arguing over gun laws, I feel certain we can all concur that America has seen too many senseless tragedies. Recently, we have repeatedly heard Americans say, “It’s time to take action! It’s time to let our voices be heard!” I couldn’t agree more. It is past time to take action and let our voices be heard.
We live in a country that has become increasingly desensitized to death. Kids aren’t just playing harmless video games like Tetris and Mario anymore. From a young age, they are killing people on their screens, while parents turn a blind eye as long as the children are quiet and entertained.
Our society watches television shows and movies, where people are brutally murdered, and we call that entertainment.
King Herod and Pharaoh were responsible for the large-scale massacre of innocent babies, yet they hold no candle to the mothers, fathers, and doctors in this country who abort precious lives every day. Since January of 2018, nearly 160,000 babies have lost their lives. Since 1973, over 60 million babies have been murdered in our country. If a life is considered an inconvenience or a hindrance, it has lost its value in the eyes of those who feel that way and then the door is wide open to end it. Our country may very well have killed the one life who could have befriended Nikolas Cruz at a young age, introduced him to a church family, and loved him like Jesus, ultimately sparing 17 lives.
Americans are clearly engrossed and entertained by death and evil. So, I do suggest we make a change. I say we fight back. We should arm ourselves, our homes, our churches, our schools, and most importantly our children. Our children should never leave our homes without being prepared and fully armed for the spiritual war they face daily.
Our homes need to honor the Bible. It is God’s design that parents teach children truth within the home first and foremost. Sports, dance, music, etc., even school is to be secondary teaching. Parents should passionately model God’s Word to their children and arm them with the Sword of the Spirit in order to defend themselves against this wicked world. Parents were never meant to allow the world into their homes or to model halfhearted Christian living to their children. It is not God’s plan for parents to be “friends” with their children. God intended parents to be bold examples to lead by strength and with love.
Our schools need to return to the Bible. God’s Word was central to our educational system when American schools were founded. Our classrooms were never meant to be void of biblical teaching.
The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools. -United States Congress 1782
Let the children…be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education. – Benjamin Rush
Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ. – James Madison
Education is useless without the Bible. The Bible was America’s basic text book in all fields. God’s Word contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct. – Noah Webster
We should fight for our conquering Christ to be welcomed back into our classrooms. Imagine what would happen if the children who are not taught biblical truths of compassion, faith, morality, and love in the home were introduced to those concepts at school. What would it look like if the Bible once again became the cornerstone for directing conduct within the school? Would students be more likely to live like Jesus and reach out to the “loners” who are lost and hurting?
Most importantly, I agree that we should let our voices be heard. However, I respectfully disagree with those who are saying, “We don’t need prayers, we need action.” What they don’t realize, is that our prayers will create the action that America critically needs.
Our problem is not a gun problem, it’s a heart problem.
Our issue is not with President Trump, it is with Satan himself.
Our enemy is not Nikolas Cruz, for “our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” This is a spiritual battle against the dark, evil forces of this world.
Doing away with guns will not solve our problems. Bad guys with evil intentions will always find a way to get their hands on guns, and innocent people will then be an even greater helpless target. Just as drugs are illegal in this country, yet very accessible, so will it also be with guns.
The devil’s game plan revolves around death, division, and destruction. America has felt the sting of too many deaths, and now we clearly see Satan dividing us! To adamantly raise our voices against guns and slander fellow citizens, is counterproductive. To humbly fall to our knees and sincerely seek God’s face during this time of crisis, is our only hope from destruction.
In Ezekiel 22, God’s judgment was upon Jerusalem. Much like America, they were a people who were also entertained by death, rebellion, and idols. God had warned them to turn from their wicked ways and seek Him, yet they immersed themselves in evil and blindly refused. God patiently “sought a man who would stand in the gap for the land” and intercede in prayer so that He would not have to destroy them. Sadly, He found no one and they were not spared.
Parents, be strong and train up your children in truth. Expel evil from your homes. Model Jesus to your children.
Teachers, be courageous and lead your classrooms with the wisdom and love of Christ!
Students, be compassionate, take a stand for Jesus, and reach out to the lost. As my mother always said, “You may be the only Bible some people ever read.”
Americans, we need to quit blaming everyone else and call sin what it is! Cry out to the Lord and He will heal our land. Despite the fact that Kim Kardashian and a host of others say “prayer is ineffective at this point,” prayer is the most effective measure we can take. Our earnest prayers will lead to action.
More than ever, it is imperative we pray for our country and let our voices be heard. We must also diligently teach our children to pray for God’s blessings on America. God is seeking intercessors for our land during these perilous times.
Who will stand in the gap?
“The future of America does not lie in Washington, but with the people of God who get serious and get on their knees!” – Dr. Adrian Rogers
