Now that the dust is apparently settling from the most contentious presidential election in our lifetimes, I have been reflecting on my past political involvement and the new course I have chosen for my life. In reality, this is not really a new course, but one that I felt called to pursue many, many years ago. I now realize that I have gone full circle. It started with me being one of those fanatical “Jesus freaks” in my younger years, and then progressed to a strong sense of call to plant churches and serve as a missionary in Latin America. When that latter opportunity evaporated, I kept trying (for many years) to pursue what I believed God had called me to do.
Along the way, as usually happens in life, there were many twists and turns in the road. Along with the happier moments, there were setbacks, disappointments, and heartbreaks. These ultimately led to total disillusionment and a complete loss of my firmly-held goals and dreams. As I reflect back now, I realize that there was a tremendous amount of pain and emptiness in my life. Because of this, I was drawn into filling that void by involving myself in a different cause – to become involved in the political struggle to help correct the downward trends in American society.
My involvement with the Constitution Party, when I lived in New Mexico, helped to keep me busy and fill that emptiness. I buried myself in the work and enjoyed meeting many fine patriots and traveling around the state. Eventually, however, I was brought to the stark reality of the true nature of our political system, and the dark forces which are determined to transform this once-great Christian nation into something far different.
As my grasp of these truths deepened, it became reflected in my lifestyle. I gradually became so frustrated trying to change the political landscape, that my path morphed into a different direction. For about 5 years, I also became involved with several citizen militia groups, training and preparing in four different states for the conflict which we believed was on the horizon in America. This growing chasm of disunity in American culture had been growing for years, and we believed that the tensions would soon erupt into extreme tensions and conflict. That would bring us to the crazy year of 2020 – and the recent events which have transpired in the United States and across the world. That narrative is far from over, despite the recent outcome of the elections in the U.S.
As I have written before, my life continued around this circle. In His love and faithfulness, God did not allow me to spin off further in this direction. In the same way as when I first became a Christian at 16 years of age, the Lord began to move in my heart to reveal His love once again and brought a complete restoration to my spiritual life. This process totally transformed my thinking and brought me full circle back into alignment with God’s purpose for my life.
With this restoration, I was brought back to the realization that as Christians, our preeminent calling and loyalty is to another kingdom – one that is both invisible and eternal – the kingdom of God. I became firmly convinced once again that we must wholeheartedly pursue the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth. This kingdom transcends all earthly powers and governments, and it is the only one that will endure the turbulent times that we will be facing in the future.
As the world continues on its current course, I have become firmly convinced that the Church of Jesus Christ must awaken and arise in response. The days of increasing corruption and evil are upon us, and we must learn to resist, live differently, and become the testimony of light and truth that the world so desperately needs.
To this end I have charted a new course, or should I say, I have been restored to the course which God designed for me many years ago. I know for certain now, and at a much deeper level, the patience and faithfulness of God in my life. With refortified commitment, zeal, and purpose, I now set my course to once again live with God’s kingdom at the center of my focus. As I strive to influence people one at a time and impart the life-transforming gospel of Christ here in Ecuador, I am so grateful that God is the master of second chances, the source of unfailing forgiveness and grace, and the restorer of once-dead dreams and aspirations.