I just returned from my now annual trek to Washington, DC for the
National Prayer Breakfast with the Louisiana delegation. The Thursday morning
breakfast included all the visible amenities
including dignitaries like President Obama, First Lady Michelle, Vice-President
Biden, the Presidents of Albania and Haiti, Senators and Congressmen, Religious
and Political Leaders from 130 countries, Bethany Hamilton (evangelical surfer
who lost an arm to a shark) and gospel singers Yolanda Adams and Steve Green.
There was no talk of Health Care, Immigration, or Elections. A humble
dependence upon God was sensed. Partisanship, Polarization and Division were
set aside for 90 minutes.
“Let us not seek the
Republican answer, or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not
seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for
the future.” ~ John F. Kennedy
What intrigues and motivates me about the three-day event is not the
breakfast but the unmistakable message in conversations behind the scenes in
small groups and one-on-one which are invisible to C-SPAN. Our country is in
trouble. Everyone senses this. Perhaps we are as divided a nation as any time
dating back to the Civil War. Does anyone think that Organized Religion or
Disorganized Politics can save the day? Every four years our best candidates
debate and share the best solutions they can devise. We invest significant
money and technology into solutions. Despite these efforts we have more crime,
brokenness and problems. Perhaps the root problem in America and the World is
deeper. Perhaps it is a Spiritual and Heart issue?
The unmistakable solution that was offered last week was an invitation
to follow Jesus. Knowing Jesus, loving Jesus, following Jesus, depending upon
His grace, trusting His guidance, and dying with Him in our everyday lives is
the greatest opportunity ever extended to a human being. It wasn’t Christianity
that was lifted up. It wasn’t Religion lifted up. It wasn’t Republicanism
lifted up or a Democratic Brand. It wasn’t Catholicism that was lifted up or
Baptist, Methodist or Pentecostalism. It was Jesus! Jesus wasn’t a Christian
and He never asked someone to become a Christian. He said, “Follow Me.” There is a power in this unique gospel, unique person
and unique gift that changes lives and in time can turn the world upside down.
There is something about Jesus that transcends religious and political
barriers. Samaritans who were regarded as heretics and Romans who were thought
of as barbarians found themselves around Jesus saying, “I want to follow that man!” Isn’t this the need today for our
country and world?
One of the leaders told me a personal haunting story as to our world’s
predicament. He was in a South American country and the Ranking National Religious
Leaders infighting was front page news. This leader was begged to meet with the
Religious Leaders. When he arrived there were five older Religious Leaders
present and 25 younger emerging leaders. He started by asking, “Do you have any questions for me?” One
of the younger men asked, “Why don’t
young people go to church anymore?” He said, “You will probably throw me out of here. They don’t like you and after three
days in your country neither do I.” He told them that a new commandment had
been given to love one another, that all men will know you are my disciples by
the love you have for one another, that oneness will demonstrate to the world
that God sent the Son. He said that young people are sick of political and
religious infighting and though they don’t understand it all
theologically…young people are attracted to unconditional love and people who
die to themselves. He talked about Jesus and His words, “Follow me.” The older leaders weren’t moved but the younger
leaders said, “This is the most exciting
thing we have ever heard. We have never heard it before. Where can we get this
material?” The answer my friend spoke, “Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John.”
“He’s wild, you know. Not like
a tame lion.” ~C.S. Lewis on Aslan, the
Christ-figure in The Lion,
The Witch and the Wardrobe
Revitalization in our country starts with me and you. Will we re-hear
the call of Jesus, “Follow me”? I’m
devoting 2014 to sink my teeth into Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I’m going to
pray and focus on Relationships. I want friends near and far away to meet
Jesus. Grace Adventures is committed to inspiring a network of leaders who are
committed to friendship with Jesus and each other.
Praise and Prayer
Praise
for personal time last week with three Senators and four Congressmen. We had great
conversations about spiritual things.
- The
Bible studies at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge with Representatives and
Lobbyists start on March 13th. The session runs from March 10-June 2. Pray for
open doors.
- Pray
for key speaking opportunities this month with the New Orleans Leader Forum and
the Christian Legal Society.
- Pray
for the rescheduled (due to ice) Third Year Grace Adventures Anniversary
Celebration on April 4th. All are welcome to attend. Speakers include a State Senator,
two State Representatives, several businessmen, a former New Orleans Saints
player and Michael Sprague. Pray God is glorified and people discover there is
hope for America.
- Pray
for Donna. Last year’s knee surgery has not repaired the problem and she is
going in for another MRI.
Betting the
Farm on God,
Michael
