Paul Smith, Executive Director, Citizen Impact

Consider the headlines from the last month: Politicians, who were elected to do what is best for the American people, bring the economy to the brink of default. A Florida mother, typically a child’s number one protector, has likely killed her toddler – and gotten away with it. In Atlanta, school administrators, principals, and teachers – who are supposed to set an example for students, and teach them to succeed without cheating – are caught cheating themselves. The state of New York has approved same-sex marriage, further weakening the family and contributing to the declining morality of our nation. What is not making headlines is the federal take-over of education, including preschool, through initiatives like “Race to the Top” which promises millions of dollars to states who agree to work towards national standards. Add to that those things that everyday Americans think about: the cost of fuel, the inflation rate, the devaluing of our homes, and the depressing unemployment numbers.

Surely America’s best days are behind us, and the future for our children is bleak. Maybe. It is certainly possible that our country is descending into a hole it that we will never climb out of. Many preachers will tell you that America is under the judgment of God. So, as Christians, our only recourse is to “hang on till Jesus comes” – right? Of course not! Jesus called us to action: to be “salt and light” impacting our sphere of influence. The greatest hindrance to advancing the cause of Christ in America is not political leadership or the corrupt culture, the greatest hindrance is the apathy and cynicism of the church. If we believe the Scriptures, the reason America is ailing is not the worldliness of the world, but the worldliness of the Church [II Chronicles 7:14].

No one can predict the future and whether America will rebound or not. What I can do, and what every Christian can and must do, is to fall back on the Christian worldview that explains so much of what is occurring around us, and fight against the continuing decline of morality in our country, focusing on opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel. Ultimately, the restoration of America rests with God’s people.