Scriptures:
Joshua 24:14-15 - “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness… But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Zachariah 4:6 - “So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty”
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Definition: A dance or contest that involves bending over backwards and passing under a horizontal pole lowered slightly for each successive pass;
A condition of uncertainty; an uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution; a zone which exists between two definite places.
Scriptures:Joshua 24:14-15- “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness… But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Zachariah 4:6 - “So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty”
THOUGHT
Many of you who remember the popular “Limbo Dance” are probably old enough to recall the first lunar landing, prayers in school, and learning the “Golden Rule.” Our heroes were Mighty Mouse and Superman, champions of “saving the day” and “truth, justice, and the American Way.” We proudly sang “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.”
In both church and school, we were taught that rules were meant to be followed, even while doing the Limbo Dance. This dance, imported to America from Trinidad and Tobago, became even more fun when accompanied by Chubby Checker’s “Limbo Rock.” Legend has it that the Limbo Dance symbolizes the journey from life to death, with the bar representing death. Each time a dancer successfully passed under the bar was a victory over death. Touching the bar, using your hands, going under the wrong way, or losing your balance meant you were out.
Today, although we are not collectively performing the Limbo Dance, we find ourselves in a state of "limbo," which is a condition of uncertainty, awaiting decisions or resolutions.
For example:We are embroiled in controversy as we approach the upcoming Presidential election between two incumbent Presidents, Trump and Biden, where the fate of the republic, our global standing, and the preservation of many hard-fought individual freedoms are at stake.We endure sweltering heat, tornadoes, and storms exacerbated by human-caused emissions, leaving farmers, fishers, and scientists with more questions than answers for the next season.We anticipate resolutions to the numerous military conflicts in which this country is engaged.We operate in an unreliable global economic system where national currencies are traded as intangible fungible tokens that few of us understand.America’s motto, “One Nation Under God,” is becoming less representative of the state of the union and more a choice for the few.
America is redefining the “American Way.” Ignorance of God’s laws has made it difficult to follow the laws of the land as attempts are being made to remove the blindfold from the eyes of Lady Justice. Families are increasingly dysfunctional, unstable and insecure resulting in high rates of suicide, addiction and violence among our youth. Our values no longer clearly dictate right versus wrong, or good versus evil. We no longer welcome the tired, the poor nor the huddled masses yearning to be free. We have little desire to “save the day”; to fulfill the commandment to “be fruitful and multiply” or adhere to anything that God deems good or holy.
We must remember that, America’s greatness was not because of its genius, military prowess or financial acuity. Despite its flaws and deficiencies, it was a country led by the Spirit of God. The citizens of America became united as “One Nation Under God,” with leaders who proudly invoked the name of God regardless of their preferred religion.
As this country struggles in limbo, the bar is getting lower, and the challenges are becoming more daunting. It is time to revive our relationship with God and rekindle our love for each other.
AMERICA, CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE!
AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!!