What America needs — if it is to survive in liberty — is a surge in citizen activism unlike anything our nation has ever before seen.The success of such a grassroots movement will depend on how much individual citizens are willing to do their part to return our country to divinely-inspired principles of self-governance — those principles contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and those validated by common sense and biblical teachings.
If you feel you need to "wait for instructions," or otherwise depend on others — especially those in positions of leadership — to guide and assist you, our country will not survive these perilous times. You must act as though the future of our country depends on you alone, for in a very real sense it does. It depends on the creative, responsible, exemplary initiative of yourself and those you inspire to similar patriotism.
Here are suggestions for helping to make a difference in the future of our country.
- Live right.
The single most important thing you can do for your country is to set an example of outward and inward commitment to godly living. Be the kind of person God can work through to save our nation.
If you have yet to do so, determine with all your heart to yield your will completely to God "as a little child" (Matt. 18:3-4) and allow Him to change you according to His will and design for you — so that thereby you might truly fulfill your divine "mission" in life; so that you might be fully open to His guidance and influence; and so that you might be submissive to whatever challenges or tasks He desires of you. After yielding your will in this manner, and thus becoming truly born again according to the scriptural pattern (see John 3:1-8; Acts 1:1-9, 2:1-47; and Heb. 8:6-13), then work continuously on developing the godly self-discipline needed to please Him in all you do, and strive to overcome anything in your character that contradicts His precepts for godly, self-sacrificing, compassionate living.
Be a true Christian in both word and deed, and continually strive to become a better one — one who inspires others to live by a higher standard than they may be accustomed.
Never underestimate the power of righteous example — and be that kind of example!
One thing is reasonably certain: If enough Americans live worthy of God's intervention and miracles in their lives, and inspire enough people around them to strive with all their hearts to do likewise — then according to biblical principles and teachings, God will spare our country, no matter what evils confront it. (See 2 Chron. 7:14.)
On such a scripture-based promise, we can all wisely depend.
- Take bold, appropriate action.
If — in a very real sense — our nation's future depends on you alone (and on similar patriots you inspire), don't simply be a spectator who watches others do courageous, remarkable things. Do them yourself! Lead out!
The evils confronting America have never been more threatening, insidious, or powerful — and your country therefore needs your activism more than ever before. Stand up and make a difference!
What should you do? If you're living in harmony with God's will, you'll know. You won't need "that any man teach you" (see 1 John 2:20-29), but will know in your heart by His Spirit what He wants you to do — and you will have His power and authority to sustain and multiply your efforts. (See Acts 10:34-38 and Matt. 7:29.) You won't need to rely on others to guide or direct you, but will be reliant on God alone to know and do His will.
By your leadership, you will inspire others to do likewise in their own sphere and in their own way, as God directs them.
- Consider the possibility that God might want you to:
- Submit frequent letters to editors.
Testify at public hearings.
- Hold regular gatherings in your home or community to discuss and promote the cause of liberty.
- Volunteer to work in a political campaign, at any level, for any worthy purpose.
- Widely distribute signs for a cause or a candidate.
- Lead — or get involved in — a worthy petition drive.
- Organize a rally, large or small, to publicize an urgent issue or cause.
- Contact your local paper and offer to be interviewed regarding a public question or concern you have vital knowledge of.
- Pick up the phone and share your views on talk radio — or if you have the skills and opportunity, create your own radio or internet talk show.
- Create a blog.
- Found a website.
- Write and publish a regular column — or even a book.
- Get actively involved in a major (or possibly a "third") political party in your state or the nation.
- Run for local — or higher — public office.
- Participate in RenewAmerica’s Facebook page — and support similar interactive forums on the web.
- Help organize your state or local area in the cause of taking back our country.
- Inform yourself. "Zeal without knowledge" (see Rom. 10:2-3) will not save our country. Become acquainted with reliable, principled websites, blogs, publications, books, speakers, organizations, and other praiseworthy sources for information regarding the needs of our country and the solutions to those needs. Sign up to receive helpful newsletters and alerts.
A good place to start informing yourself would be to study essential documents that describe our nation's founding principles.
- Work on your "people skills." By this, we mean your ability to strengthen and influence others for good — so they might be persuaded to take independent action — not your ability to "use" others for your own ends, as some might think. Respect the worth, dignity, and free will of each individual as you seek to assist them in fulfilling their duty as citizens.
- Work on your communicative skills. "Politics is communication," to a large extent. Become the kind of communicator God can use for His purposes. Meaningful communication requires practice, experience, wisdom, and the operation of God's Spirit in effectively informing real people in real situations. This applies equally to both spoken and written communication.
- Turn your skills and resources mainly to saving our country — above any other purpose beyond your own salvation and the well-being of your family — and rely on God to give you the practical means to do so.
- Submit frequent letters to editors.
- Expect adversity.
Just as our Founders — or other great figures in history — suffered considerable adversity and personal hardship for their principled allegiance to the will of God, you too can expect adversity as you stand forth in the cause of reclaiming America. "No good deed ever goes unpunished," as the saying goes.
This will likely prove true the more you become a significant player in our country's future, as the Adversary will predictably seek to destroy your efforts — and as God Himself may undertake to try you, to test the depth of your commitment to His will.
Of course, not all adversity comes from outside sources — since we often bring it upon ourselves by our imperfect nature. But it helps to bear in mind that, no matter the source of our difficulties and challenges, a wise Father can help us deal successfully and productively with all our struggles, provided we rely on Him, and not upon our own wisdom or strength.
- Don't give up.
If you persist in well-doing, relying on God to bless and sustain you against all odds and the hardships you can expect to encounter, you will emerge victorious over the forces of evil that confront our country, and you will be a beacon of reason and righteousness, and thus a tangible inspiration, to those around you.
That's all anyone can expect of another in the cause of reclaiming our republic. If enough of us catch the vision of such selfless grassroots activism, and spread it infectiously to others, we will succeed in preserving the "blessings of liberty [not only] to ourselves [but to] our posterity." (See Preamble, U.S. Constitution.)
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