Reflecting on the passing of the senate healthcare bill

Chances are you’ve heard today that the U.S. senate passed the healthcare bill with a vote of 60 to 39.  This vote was historic in its content and in the sense that this is the first time the senate has voted on Christmas Eve since 1895.  My initial reaction is one of fear as I believe this bill will further destroy our country’s collapsing economy.  However, I do not feel that all is lost.  I am hopeful that the disappearing freedoms in our country will help to wake U.S. Christians out of their fat, happy, and complacent slumber.  We need to be on our knees daily in prayer for our country, its leaders, our families, our communities, our churches, and so much more.  As I try to put aside my fear, I take comfort in the following verses:

• “Daniel answered and said:  “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.  He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; ” (Daniel 2:20-21, English Standard Version)
• “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:1-10, English Standard Version)

Be blessed as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ this Christmas weekend.  Take hope in the fact that God is sovereign and in control.  Take comfort in the fact that this world is not our true home.  Be challenged in the new year to increasingly live out the gospel in all areas of your life and to earnestly seek an ever deepening relationship with Jesus Christ.