An Act of God

We all know the path America seems to be taking as it applies to espousing the name of God…be it work, school or simply Christmas cards. Even Christians I talk to often have a very blasé attitude about the gravity of such changes.

I find it interesting, though, how deep-seated our religious roots really have intertwined within this country. Our currency still refers to God; our patriotic anthems refer to God; the U.S. Code has 68 references to God (although our Constitution has none contrary to popular belief); practically every court in the U.S. requires an oath of honesty in the name of God; nearly every U.S. State’s preamble contains language being grateful to God….and, yes, even the insurance industry uses it.

When a situation occurs beyond the control of man, it is said to be an “Act of God”. It’s almost humorous that the one thing God probably doesn’t do (at least directly) is control the situations “acts of God” fall under. Of course God created the universe and, therefore, all of nature falls under His reign…but I seriously doubt God intentionally had that 300 pound tree branch fall onto that poor lady’s car.

So what are we to take from all these references to God? Only that God has been an incredibly powerful influence on mankind whether we acknowledge it or not. God is inextricably woven into the fabric of our world even at the outcry of atheists claiming it untrue or agnostics who fail to see this simple and obvious truth.

Free will is God’s design to allow us the freedom to choose or reject Him, however, the truth remains the same regardless of our choice. I believe it’s time to not only acknowledge this truth which stares us in the face each and every day, but to shout it out to the world. God’s existence cannot be denied no matter how much we choose to look the other way. We don’t have to stand on a milk crate on the street corner evangelizing to all the passer-bys (although there’s certainly nothing wrong with that…); nor do we need to hold a seminary degree to speak what we know to be true. What we do need to do is communicate our beliefs in any way possible and not become complacent about how our society is slowly and cunningly distancing itself from our Creator. Being proud of God is something we shouldn’t keep hidden inside. To deny God is to deny our roots, our heritage and, simply, the whole world around us.

Greg Morton
© April 2, 2012

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