But spiritual transformation is even more important. Suppose the great result of this period in American history is a surge of the Holy Spirit in our people? Suppose, in fact, that that brings healing and bounty?
It seems counterintuitive to our extremely materialist, heavily politicized modern consciences that the remedy for bad government would be turning our attention away from politics to cultivate character in ourselves. We view life as a systematic affair: one of predictable social mechanisms, patterns and trends, causes and effects; of good hygiene, good choices, good skill and admirable restraint. We like to congratulate ourselves on mastering rules, like the Pharisee in Jesus' parable of the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14).
But systems are a limiting factor, and a poor substitute for personal alignment with the heart of God. The most important interaction any of us ever has is accomplished through mercy and grace—which cannot be confined within a system, and which cannot be earned like rewards but only asked for, one on one with the Father, and gratefully accepted.
Mercy and grace—the blessings of Jesus Christ—are the evidence that God's desire is not to punish us. His desire is for our hearts to change. He may let bad government act for us as a warning and a rebuke, but He does this because it's a path to our hearts. Imagine being the generation that gets this through our thick heads. God doesn't consider politics the coin of His spiritual trade with us. His priority isn't political interactions or government-brokered outcomes. He wants us. If our hearts change, everything else will too.
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