AMERICA, MISSIN IN ACTION

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY, AL USA)

PROLOGUE

Two of my favorite college subjects were creative writing and civics. Creative writing is obvious, as you read my blogs. Civics? Well, my opinion oftentimes seems to border on the negative viewpoint and other times somewhat positive. You might say, my civic view seems to encroach on the creative writing realm.

According to Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland's delegates to the constitution convention in 1787, a lady ask Dr. Benjamin Franklin at its conclusion, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy? Benjamin Franklin replied "A republic...if you can keep it. “

With that said, may I be so bold as to say this to ask if our great country America, land of the free and home of the brave, has now turned from a republic into a monarchy? And if so, is America now missing in action?

One need only to weigh the pros and cons of this argument to debate both sides of this all-important issue of America’s culture.

Now I ask you again, is America missing in action? I realize this type query could conceivably be debated by all concerned. Please forgive the mention, as we move on with our story entitled “America Missing in Action.”

“ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

I had no more gotten home from another grueling week at the Bible college when it all started. I must have really been overworked, as my tiredness quickly took over. I had slumped down in my worn recliner and it happened again.

I was in our local town library and I met up with my new dream world friend. At first glance I had no idea who he was, what he wanted or where he came from. Based on his dress and demeanor he wasn’t from today’s world. He appeared to come straight out of my high school history book.

On second thought, I’d know this distinguished gentleman anywhere. He was appropriately dressed for his day. He wore a long brown coat with matching vest, dark trousers, neatly starched white shirt, long socks and leather, buckle-topped shoes. As usual, the bifocal glasses perched on his nose gave his identity away.

The more I looked at him, the more confirmed my recognition of him became. He was one of the Founding Fathers of America, a well-known patriot who possessed many talents in leadership, philosophy, and inventions. But why this character was here in my dream and what his intentions might be were strictly beyond my understanding.

There was silence for what seemed an eternity. Taking my hand, he gently led me over to the big globe on a walnut stand in the middle of the library map section. Still not saying a world, he gave the map a spin. It came to a stop resting at the United States. Not exactly, however, as America was missing. In its place was a dark, clouded area.

The mystery continued as the viewpoint was limited to audio, not vision. There were no kind, caring voices, but ones of panic and terrified hysteria.

“Please, kind Sir, what’s happening here?" I asked. "Where did America disappear to? Why all the panic and screams of total dismay?"

“Don’t you worry, my friend, America isn’t missing. It’s still here, only hidden by a cloud of socialistic culture. It can and will be revived by culture's confession.” (I John 1:8-9)

“It’s simple, my dear America friend," he went on. "The great land of the free and the home of the brave is just now missing in action. America has millions of loyal, patriotic citizens who have been misled and caught up in today’s progressive movement. And where this mindset will lead too is uncertain and indeterminate. Just like the soldier who is missing in action, our populace is lost in today’s social system whose whereabouts are not known but whose conservative political death has not yet been confirmed. “

“And to top it all off, America is now also spiritually missing in action. For America is now in a spiritual war, with many unseen battles. The enemy is the demonic host of Satan, always assembled for mortal combat.” (Ephesians 6:12)

“In other words, kind Sir, are you saying America may now be under judgment for its many national sins?” I whispered so as not to attract attention.

The well-known patriotic possessor of many talents in leadership and philosophy adjusted his bifocals as if in deep thought, and his response seemed to convey a religious tone.

“Is America ready to reach out and seek God's face in repentance?" he asked. "And mostly, is America now ready to give up all for Him? I don’t see anywhere in the Scriptures where God gives a warning and then tells us to do nothing with it. It's now up to those called by His name." (II Chronicles 7:14).

But before I could answer, it was all gone. He was gone, so were the library and the large world globe. Yes, I was quickly back home still in my recliner, totally confused as always from my newest out-of-body dream experience.

And as usual, I asked myself why me, a distinguished professor of religion at the local Bible college? Why me, why such a dream? I wasn’t a world traveler. What did I have to offer? Maybe another dream world encounter down the line. Just where will we begin? Stay tuned! Amen!

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed this parable giving an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. If America was “Missing in Action” was the dark cloud lifted? Was America found to be back home again in its rightful place of worldwide leadership?

If you have followed my writings, I sometimes will use a quotation from a country song lyric, as I am an avid country music fan, to emphasize a point I'm trying to make. I realize of course that the romantic love theme of the original song lyrics do not hold to the nationalist meaning within my writing. Do you remember this particular lyrical line from a hit lyric of the past?

We'll turn the world around the other way
Back to where it started yesterday
Just take my hand together we can turn
The world around the other way

So, together can we turn today’s socialist culture back to our roots? Or has God passed judgment on our national sins? Will God forgive America? God is the same God He has always been. He will forgive America and heal our land. He will bless us again. However, He expects His people to admit and repent of their sins. We, as a nation, must repent before Almighty God, ask for his forgiveness, and not continue down the same old path of destruction. Then, and only then, will God bless America.

So, what is our solution, in this politically correct world? Simply put, God gives us a personal promise in ( II Chronicles 7:14). Individually, we His people must humble ourselves, pray, seek the face of God, and turn from our wicked ways. When we do this, God has promised to hear, forgive our sins (I John 1:9) and heal our land. Amen!