They’re Not Like Us.
- July 29, 2024
- By Jared Daub
They’re Not Like Us.
They’re Not Like Us. We aren’t the same. Who is “They”? And Who is “we”? “They” are opposition to our cultural values. “We” are in opposition to their corruption . No other title, party, or tagline is needed.
A void of leadership will be a void filled with depravity
Plato said “The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.” When a void exists, it will be filled. The question is not “IF”, it is always “When”. When nobody steps up to lead, somebody will step up to lead. When nobody speaks up, somebody will speak up. There is never a true absence of action, only a movement in SOME direction. A populace unwilling to act becomes a populace subject to rule. There is no other option. Our inability to build servant leaders who guide by example and action WILL lead to being subject to serve. Not our God, but man.
We are what we demand
Action is a spark that ignites momentum. We focus on broader movements, but we forget that it takes input to create momentum. An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an equal or opposite force. An engine fires as the starter spins the crank. The pistons move upwards towards the cylinder head. As the compression builds, fuel, a catalyst, is injected into the cylinders or intake. Heat builds inside the cylinders, pressure builds, and a spark is introduced. From a forceful initial motion, a machine has been put to work. Cylinder after cylinder violently erupts in motion and flame. Our lives are much the same. A catalyst is needed, a push, a starter of sorts is necessary. Do we demand this motion? Are we initiating this movement? Is the machine we call culture stagnant and in disrepair?
“On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
Your life is moving constantly
You are never stationary. Your life is constantly in motion, whether you accept it or not. You are either acting upon your principles, or being subject to the principles of others. The luxury of ignorance is a lie we believe we can accept. But all the while your choices, or lack thereof, position you with or against the movements of culture, good or bad. Stand up for SOMETHING! Speak up for what you believe! Find commonality of culture, a foundation of agreed principles. If we do not find this balance, we become subject to a vile existence where tyrants rule over man. If WE do not become servant leaders, servant leaders will not lead US. We are a byproduct of what WE create, or the vacuum which we allow. But you are never stationary, you are always moving somewhere.
They’re not like us.
An elitist class exists in this nation. One who desires to rule, to pillage, to conquer, to abuse. Who is responsible for the existence of these people? Who do we blame as we prop up the next puppet to rule over us? Why do we bicker when we engage in their colosseum of lies and corruption. Are you watching the gladiators battle on the field, cheering as the republic falls? Do you point your finger to the neighbor next door? Or do you recognize the cancer that is in our leadership? They’re not like us. They are a ruling elite class of tyrants hell bent on decay, power, greed, and destruction. Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Lust, Sloth: are these words that describe US as people? Is our nation leading by serving, or leading by controlling and conquering? Is our identity them, or do we have our own identity?
Dust off your boots! Find your soul! Your heart is beating, take the step!
Power in People, not Monarchy
Oh people, how far we have strayed! Our foundations that were laid, to the dust in our graves! Power rests in your hands. Though you feel small, recognize the power you wield! An example set, is a map given. By leading through action, you effect change. YOU become the starter that turns the crank. That brings the things that will come into motion. You are the catalyst! Though you feel small, your power is mighty! What will it take to recognize that They’re not like Us! What does it mean to take ownership, to wrangle back the forces of evil!
Prayer, Contemplation, Then Action.
We have fallen in this broken world and accepted depravity, our ethical boundaries have eroded. No longer do we pray. We focus on greed, therefore we are never happy. We envy our neighbors, therefore we covet what they have. Our People lust after worldly reward, therefore we find ourselves vacant, alone, and facing destruction. Rather than live an example of servant leadership, we beg, steal, destroy. Who is to blame? Who will stand first?
The temptation exists to point the finger solely at “them”, and we forgo our responsibilities for our lives. This is a hard truth. They exist! They are not fiction, but we rule over Them. God has blessed this nation in a way no other nation has experienced. A beacon was given to us to wield, and we were trusted to carry that torch forward. How have we behaved? Do our actions justify further trust? Do we deserve… to be.
In quiet contemplation, we witness the fall
Our words and actions have power, yet where are our people? Where are the ones who will stand? Who will step up and risk their livelihood to further liberty? A cost is always placed on individual freedoms, therefore we fear. Run no more. Fear no more. You are called to action, you need only a spark to start the process of change. Start first inward, focusing on what you control. A fire will begin to spread, and it will envelope our nation. We will spread our arms wide, embracing the values that built this great nation. God is either with us, or he has turned from us. We have either trusted his wisdom and honored his providence, or we have turned from him.
God of creation, from the dawn of time, have mercy on this nation. Call us to action, therefore returning us to your glory. Provide a path for our people. Tear down the walls of Jericho.
Joshua 5:13-6:27 (NIV)
The Fall of Jericho
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord[a] have for his servant?”
15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
6 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
We find ourselves at the cliff, but we have one more day. Only one day. Keep the pace, trust, believe, and do the work. In the face of a towering giant STAND. The time is now, and you are the key to writing history of correction and repentance.
