SOLVING AMERICA'S PUZZLE

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
(Trussville, AL USA)

"Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all." (I Chronicles 29:11-12)

I don’t know about you but I have just about stopped watching the TV news, reading the local fish wrapper, and tuning in to the local neighborhood gossip. Why so, you may ask? Well, I can get the same educational results by tuning in the TV cartoons, with much less frustration. It has gotten to the place that all conversation, especially a good part of the political talk, has simple turned to baffegab.

So, are you like me, simply tired of all the confusion, generality, and unintelligible jargon of politics? And if you are like me, it doesn't take long to get fed up, with such nonsense.

There's no way on God's green earth that the political promises now being made are viable, practicable, or even workable. The cost of such baffegab would literally shatter the world's banks wide open. I guess, nonetheless, it does make for good political press and it may garner a few uninformed votes.

Oh well, I can't individually change the world. So I think I'll just settle in to my usual afternoon nap. Nonetheless, I suddenly found myself rudely interrupted by another of my wild dreams. It was my birthday, and what a party it was! The gifts all seemed to hit the spot of my mentality, including the gift of a most unusual political theme picture jigsaw puzzle.

My mnemonic abilities aren’t what they used to be, but just maybe, if I concentrate, I can conjure together these puzzle pieces. I may even be able to put the politicians together in their place, I jested to the tune of all the background party laughter.

But this joyful scene didn't last long, for I suddenly found myself in the middle of the most unusual political rally. The entire atmosphere resembled that of a pep rally. All participants were standing and shouting at the top of their lungs. The entire crowd continued erupting into a frenzy.

"What does America really want from us, as servants of the people?" the moderator shouted, displaying the picture of a jigsaw picture puzzle on the large monitor screen, portraying the White House. He then changed slides, showing the picture puzzle pieces lying around in disorder. Then using this disarranged slide as an illustration, he began exciting the crowd even more by his remarks.

"Without the needed financial backing, the proper collective social involvement, the support of the news media, the support of the educational centers, the government and the religious institutions, we may end in a mess, as these scattered puzzle pieces portray. Our party is in a frenzy, in complete hysteria and in dire chaos throughout the country. We must not let this happen. I say we MUST not let this happen! Come on, folks, we MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!" he screamed.

That was all it took, as the audience suddenly exploded again in uncontrollable frenzy. I've never before seen such an out of control assembly.

He then continued his pep talk by frantically waving his arms to muster up support. "We are now positioning our representatives in these various social gatherings and other vulnerable public places, which we feel will pay large dividends for our side, come the 2020 election!"

And with this brief comment the moderator continued to raise his hands, mimicking an old-time country preacher stirring up his audience.

Even so, as if by divine guidance, and out of nowhere, came this lone observer. He was dressed somewhat out of character for this particular gathering, as he was clad rather conservatively and wearing a nice shiny gold cross necklace that really stood out in this crowd. And oh yes, he had a large leather-bound Bible tucked under his arm. It's a wonder that he was allowed in this assembly.

Waving me over to the side, and looking as if he needed to talk with me, he whispered, "Don't give up the ship, my son. Don't worry about the picture puzzle illustration, and this crowd. If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

"You see, my son, without us all putting God first in our lives, it’s really kind of like us attempting to work this large picture puzzle blindfolded. It would also be as if we were merely living our lives day by day by trial and error, and not by faith," he went on, quoting (Hebrews 11:1, 6).

"So can we not know the answer to this all important question before it’s too late? Yes we can. (II Chronicles 20:6) You see God wants the very best from us all, politicians included. He wants our time, talents and resources. He wants our prayer life and Bible study as well. In other words, He wants us to spend time with Him. He wants to talk with us." (Psalm 27:8), he concluded.

"But kind Sir, what may we tell Him, that He doesn't already know?" I asked.

"Well, my son, God never leaves us trapped within ourselves, without words or hope. And this includes our political stance. He gives us His Word," (Psalm 119:11) he replied.

"So, will God allow a certain ungodly liberal political faction to gain new presidential power in the upcoming election, as punishment for America’s evil ungodly deeds: such as abortion, same sex marriages, the removal of prayer and Bible reading from the public square, and the refusal to acknowledge His chosen people, Israel? (Daniel 2:21) Or will God repeat the results of the 2016 election by the re-election of the current conservative Presidential candidate?" I queried.

His response came, "No reason, my son, to ever question the authority and ability of God, simply because we don’t understand what may be happening. (Romans 9:21) God has every right to do what He purposes (Isaiah 40:23) and all that He does is according to what pleases Him. (Psalm 115:3) There again, remember what I told you." Romans 8:31)

However, suddenly our conversation ended abruptly, as the divinely supplied individual disappeared from sight. And so did the surrounding physical elements of my dream. I found myself slumped down in my comfortable recliner, wide awake.

Along with my wakening was my trusted Bible, sitting on the end table by my chair. Looking at the Bible, I found another divine inspiration, for the Bible was open to (Genesis 50:20), along with an apparent handwritten note. "We know from Bible history that God has used both the righteous and the unrighteous to complete His divine purposes."

Thanks be to Him, one thing for sure, I can still count on my trusted worn, leather-bound study Bible to tell me the truth. You know the one that is certified to be the Holy Bible, not some modern-day electronic hand-held device.

Yes, politics or no politics, the principles therein have never changed. It’s as up to date now as when it was first penned. And the truths seem to continue jumping off the pages as I get involved with its spiritually inspired contents. (II Timothy 3:16-17) (II Peter 1:20-21).

As far as politics are concerned, I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future. Amen!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Author's Postscript

This blog, though being entertainment, is strictly fictional in nature. Any accidental resemblance to today's demographics is purely coincidental.

What about dreams? How should we Christians take our dreams? It is true that God speaks through His Word. (Hebrews 1:1-2) However, we may ask Him to give us peace in our sleep. (Psalm 127:2)

Joel did prophesy of a future time, before Jesus Christ’s return, when there would be heavenly signs. (Joel 2:28-31) So, are we now living in the last days? (II Timothy 3:1-9,13) (II Timothy 4:3-4) (II Peter 3:3-4)

And the Apostle Paul gives us perfect instructions as to our thinking. (Philippians 4:8)

Conversely, they say, whomever 'they' may be, that whatever is on your mind, or what may just be clogging up your subconscious when you fall asleep determines what you may dream.

Nevertheless, notwithstanding God's holy Word, I tend not to take my dreams seriously. Just maybe He is attempting to talk to me, to give me certain instructions with respect to my Christian life style. Amen!