Can God Save America? Does He Want To?

Election day is coming. Lots of rhetoric and posturing. Bottom line quote for just about everyone involved ends up being:

"Believe what I'm telling you! Have faith in me! I'll do right by you and our country!"

To be honest about it, if I heard that line from candidates I would probably vote for them. At least it's a positive message. Instead, much of the airplay is saved for the most creative "critiques" of opponents, along with "totally believable" assurances that "I'm not like that!" It's often more about what doesn't define a candidate than what does.

Much of the time, the seemingly obligatory addendum to much speechifying is the statement/request/prayer(ish) for God's blessing on America. I think it has been used so much that it has largely become empty of meaning.

What if God did bless America - according to God's idea of what blessing is? What if blessing constitutes correction so we can be set on a right (by God's standard) path? What if blessing includes forms of judgment against our collective willfulnesses? What if part of God's blessing to us is our own self-exposure to do away with hypocrisy? Do I want that kind of blessing?

I think God can save America. Part of the saving comes in our acceptance of responsibility for our own actions. Part of the saving comes in our embrace of the consequences of our own actions - even if that is inaction. I just don't know if he wants to. He's not so much in the nation-saving business as he is in the individual salvage industry. I think he's more concerned about people as people than he is about our programs, parties, persuasions.

I know God saves sinners, because I am one who has been. And what I need most is to keep on being saved from myself. I'm sure I'm not alone.