SITTING QUIETLY

(Post by: Madie Hobbs)

For my birthday this past week (since I was not going to cave in and wear a mask in order to do anything in public), I decided that I would stay at home and watch all of ‘The Hobbit’ and all of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movies. As usual, I have found some very good blog post material.  

While watching the first of ‘The Hobbit’ movies, ‘An Unexpected Journey’, I noticed a line that had not previously held much meaning for me personally, but is extremely relevant in this time of uncertainty. At the beginning of the movie, Gandalf (a wizard) comes to the door of a very respectable Hobbit, called Bilbo Baggins. Gandalf asks Bilbo if he would like to partake in an adventure. Bilbo responds with an extremely adamant “no” and tells him that adventures are “nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!”

But you cannot very easily give Gandalf a “no” for an answer, so he shows up that night with thirteen dwarves whose home has been taken from them by the dragon, Smaug, and who are now hoping to reclaim it. However, they need a burglar. We find out, Gandalf has nominated Bilbo for this position, and has the contract all written up and everything! Bilbo becomes so worked up about the adventure, and the dragon, and even just the dwarves, that he literally passes out!

In the next scene, he comes to and is sitting in his armchair with a cup of tea while he and Gandalf have an exchange that I believe is very important. Listen closely to what is said. “I’ll be fine, just let me sit quietly for a moment,” said Bilbo. “You’ve been sitting quietly for far too long!” Was the response Gandalf gave.  

I had never noticed this line with much significance, as I said before, but this time it really popped out to me. I think now more than ever this quote is so relevant to the Church. With all the things that have been going on in our world recently like the illegitimate presidency and the virus that is supposedly the leading cause of death now, it has become very much apparent to me how weak and quiet the Church has become. I mean seriously, we are failing at our job. Jesus intended the Church to be the force that would speak out against evil, defend the defenseless, be influential in our communities, but no. We have decided that it is far, far easier to sit quietly in our churches, and do nothing.  

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”  (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) 

Did you know that it has been an entire year since the first case of the China virus hit the United States, and we have lots of actual evidence that masks are completely, and utterly useless? Yet churches and businesses around the country are still demanding that you wear them if you want to come into their building. Did you know that political corruption has been taking place since, at least, the time Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office and the Church has ignored the evidence that has been given about this?

Did you also know that the church has done absolutely nothing to speak up for the rights we have as American citizens, and as Christians, to end this corruption? Honestly, what has the church done during this time other than comply to what the government has told us, without them giving us any factual evidence as to why we should obey EVERYTHING they say without pause?  I know that many people are saying, “We can win the next election.” “Just focus on being an influence in your community and your schools.”

But if we are being completely honest with ourselves, there is never going to be another fair election, if the current corruption is not dealt with. It will not matter who is on your school boards because we will be completely controlled by the government. You will not get to worship freely anymore. You will not get to own guns anymore. Some of these things are happening right now.

This whole entire thing with the virus has merely been a test to see who will comply with whatever our leaders say no matter how ridiculous, no matter how false, no matter how senseless. And they have succeeded in this goal, because hardly anyone has offered up any opposition whatsoever; especially not the Church.  

We have been sitting quietly for far too long, and while we have been silent, darkness and evil have over-run our world. My fear is that some of us still do not grasp this truth. We continue to be blind and ignorant of these things. We think that if we ignore it long enough it will just magically disappear, or if we ignore it, it will never affect our personal lives. This is no longer the case.

It used to be that we could ignore the issues in our world to an extent. It used to be that we could leave it to the politicians and scientists, but we no longer have that option. Our world has become so corrupt that it seems like no one can trust anyone else.

The Church should be the place where people can go to be educated about some of the things that are happening, but all they are getting from us is the fluff about how “it doesn’t matter who is in the White House because the same God is on the throne.” That is simply not the entire truth of the matter! Yes, God is still on the throne, but it still matters who is in the White House. It matters because, I believe that God has given the United States of America an opportunity to be “The Last Best Hope” in the world.

If we allow evil to take over our country, the world will be lost. Have no doubt. 

Church, we must stand up! We must stop sitting quietly because we have been doing so for far too long! Some say it is too late, and it may be. But we must try nonetheless! This evil MUST be defeated.  

^“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”  (Romans 8:6-7) 

SO WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

= Have you been sitting quietly?

= What’s one way you can help defeat corruption?

= What are you going to do differently?