Posted by
dghutchins on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 10:24:04 PM
My first blog was a little bit late. It was meant for the local Maine papers, but it did not get in. I worked extremely hard to get it to the 250 word limit too!
I've decided to bypass the papers for now, and not be held to 250 words when I have something to say. So what will I have to say? Well, having recently relocated to Maine, I am now keenly interested in Maine state government and statewide elections such as the one wrapping up as I write. I knew Maine was a liberal state before I moved here, and I prayed a lot about it. I had to reconcile my attraction for the profound beauty of the state and the quality of life that is achieveable here versus "the tax situation", "the economic situation", and the abundance of secularism that pervades (and threatens the future prosperity of) the state. A year ago, my thought was that I could deal with almost anything as long as I could have the seasons of Maine. However, since arriving, the Lord has placed it on my heart that Maine is really a mission field. Maine's tax and economic problems are merely symptoms. Maine's greatest need is for its men, women, and children to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ presented unashamedly and unapologetically in bold intellectual counterpoint to the religion of secularism that grips this state.
Regardless of the election outcome, I know this to be true:
-Maine --like many parts of America -- has lost its soul. We have a frightening number of people who do not understand the nature of the battle we face abroad nor the nature of the battle we face at home. We can have the strongest military and economy in the world, and the most eloquent and "caring politicians" but if --as de Toqueville observed-- America ceases to be good, it will cease to be great. I would add: it will cease to be. We are there my friends. Maine is there. Personal comfort and tolerance for decadence have replaced the duties of citizenship and preserving our moral foundations. No nation has survived this kind of decay. Maine --and America's-- hope will not be found in politicians or ballot initiatives. Our only hope is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ invades our hearts and changes our lives from the inside out.
I am committing my life to engaging this battle in Maine in whatever way I can as the Lord allows. Please Pray for Maine: That the Lord would use these election results to further His purposes. That Maine hearts and minds would be wooed by the Holy Spirit and that lives would be changed. And finally, for now, please pray for Maine that men and women across the state would be moved to stand up and share the salvation message with those dying around them. It's not too late, but time is growing short.