Oh Boy!!! A Field Trip!!!

Did you ever go on a school field trip? Kids have definite opinions about field trips. A couple of the students may be enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn, but it seems that many tolerate the trip because it is an escape from the routine school day. However, once the bus load of frenetic energy reaches its destination and the kids experience first-hand the purpose of the excursion, even the least enthusiastic kid in the group could regurgitate on demand what he/she learned. Years later, the participants will remember their experience. Even to this day I have fond memories of my fifth-grade class taking the train from Hampton through Jamestown and Williamsburg to Richmond.

I think there is a strong similarity between the search for God by the people in this country today and students going on a field trip. A few are eager-beaver types, but the majority think the only value is the opportunity to socialize with friends and possibly escape the day-to-day drudgery of life. The difference is that the 'higher power field trip' is totally voluntary, the destination isn't all that clear anymore and the people in charge can't agree on the purpose of the pilgrimage. What is the basis for the comparison? Consider the changes since I was a kid in school. We began each day with the pledge of allegiance. In that pledge, we recited our firm belief that we were 'one nation under God'. I don't ever recall anyone in any of my classes who was confused about the identity of the God under whom our nation voluntarily placed itself. Had there been any question, I feel confident any of my teachers would have given a most satisfactory answer. (If the Supreme Being's identity was addressed in a classroom today, the teacher better have a shrewd attorney to represent them in the impending lawsuit.) After the pledge of allegiance, the teacher led the class in a prayer-typically, but not exclusively, the Lord's prayer. Talk about imminent litigation! I'm not talking about the practices of a radical religious compound in south Texas, I'm simply recounting the way it was in this country 40 years ago. God…the One in our country's pledge and the One to whom school children prayed…is no longer the Sovereign Being under whose protective care this nation finds itself; he is now the Great Offender of our Civil Liberties!

Back to our 'higher power field trip'. First, we need to agree that due to the widespread disagreement concerning the origin of our planet, there will be no investigation into the Divine participation in the dawning of our universe. Besides, who wants to search for a Supreme Being who didn't create the world but still wants the credit for doing so? Who wants to uncover the schemes of a 'Divine Buccaneer' who stumbled on the scene the night Mother Nature was having Her Big Bang? Perhaps we shouldn't assume that everyone agrees there is a higher power. Even if we agree there is someone (or some force) out there on a higher plane, should we be so intolerant of everyone's beliefs to say there is only one? Maybe it would be best if we concede there could be many different higher powers and it doesn't really matter which one we pursue…it's the thought that counts. In fact, the best purpose our expedition may hope to realize is to individually fashion a higher power as we understand him, her or it.

Isn't it easy to see why there is such confusion about God's identity? A great number of people don't care what the Bible says about anything, including God's identity. But, for those who do, the following verses written by a Jewish prophet 700 before Christ may be helpful:

"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed-- I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God." This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: "I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."(Isaiah 42:8, 43:10-12, 44:6, 44:8 NIV)

'All gods are the same' may be a politically correct position, but the God quoted by the Jewish prophet Isaiah takes exception to 'divine tolerance'. This information about God is great for the Jews, but what about the rest of the world…the Gentiles? Isaiah had some information from God for them also:

And now the LORD says-- he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength-he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:5-6 NIV)

"And my blessings are for Gentiles, too, when they commit themselves to the LORD. Do not let them think that I consider them second-class citizens. I will also bless the Gentiles who commit themselves to the LORD and serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who have accepted his covenant. For the Sovereign LORD, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel." (Isaiah 56:3,6,8 NLT)

The search for God: the field trip our country would do well to take. A trip for individuals…not groups. A trip planned, mapped and guided in Scripture by the One we will find. Call for your reservations today. The scenery is out of this world!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)