This post originally appeared at https://www.vcyamerica.org/from-the-executive-director/2023/04/07/from-the-director/
“There is None Else”
By Jim Schneider, Executive Director
VCY America
As we observe what is taking place in society, we come away feeling helpless that life is grim and there’s just no possible hope of recovery. We see a world that is going down the tubes very fast and look for the nearest fallout shelter in order to take cover. We wonder, “Where is this all headed? How much time do we have left? Who or what can save us from the destructive course we’re on?”
As we consider these questions, we begin to evaluate various facets of society which have influence on the populace.
Consider what’s happening in educational institutions (pre-school to college) where impressionable minds are being indoctrinated with the affairs of this world’s system. A teacher in Arizona recently testified at a public hearing pertaining to parental rights, “I have a master’s degree. Because when I got certified, I was told I had to have a master’s degree to be an Arizona-certified teacher. We all have advanced degrees. What do the parents have? Are we vetting the background of parents? Are we allowing the parents to choose the curriculum and the books that our children are going to read? I think that’s a mistake. I’m just speaking from the heart. The one line that I love is we must remember the purpose of public education is not to teach only what parents want their children to be taught, it is to teach them what society needs them to be taught.” Knowing the depraved course our society is on today, this declaration gives little comfort to those who are concerned for our future. While there is great appreciation for Christian teachers who are using their influence to make a difference, it is the system that is working to undermine Biblical truth and parental authority.
Beyond education, observe what is taking place in corporate America where businesses are more concerned about having Equity, Diversity and Inclusion officers who indulge themselves over having the right “mixture” of employees rather than having qualified employees. Employees with strong moral values have been released because they no longer fit the narrative of the business. Those who object to the new wokeness are shown the door as they no longer fit the business model. Corporate America at great expense is also casting their focus on how their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) scores are shaping up and what more they need to do to cater to the extremist policies of the radical left.
While as a nation we should be protecting our borders and building a strong national defense, we have instead created chaos at the borders by allowing the free flow of those who are entering our nation illegally. It is impossible to know how many on the terror watch list have joined the ranks of the “gotaways”, not to mention those entering from Communist dictatorships with clandestine purposes for our nation. And consider that while many nations hostile to the U.S. are building and expanding their military capabilities, the United States is more concerned about implementing training on the use of personal pronouns. It is important to many commanders of today’s military to integrate those who are gender confused regardless of how it impacts military readiness and unit cohesion. Further, though nations are building their weaponry, the military of the U.S. is focused on fighting climate change.
The entertainment industry has run amok in political correctness. There is great competition as to who can make the vilest film containing the greatest number of vulgarities, the least amount of clothing, and push the greatest social agenda while mocking Christianity and Biblical truth.
Politicians continue to disappoint. Those who once pronounced their stand on upholding moral values and doing what is right, readily surrender them due to the threat of being removed from a committee assignment or face some other sanction.
Times such as these have often caused believers to fret, to lose hope and to believe the battle has been lost. There is discouragement when an election does not materialize in the way hoped. Many place a greater trust and hope in our political leaders, our military leaders, our entertainers, our sports figures and our societal leaders than we do the Lord. It is high time to recognize that it is God in whom we should trust and there is none above Him. He is greater than any politician, any world leader, any sports figure, any entertainer and any corporation. He is the Lord.
When tempted to abandon hope or feel defeated, take time to reflect on the following Scriptures:
“Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.” (Deuteronomy 4:39)
“That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.” (I Kings 8:60)
“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else…For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else….Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45: 5, 6, 18, 22) “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,” (Isaiah 46:9)