Out Our Way: If

1 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven,forgive their sin, and heal their land."

Out our way, it is calving season. And new life begins again. It is also time for renewal as the summer pasture lies fallow and begins to be stored for the coming year when we move these calves up the ridge. We have taken the herd down below and the high country recover, renewed, and replenished.

But what if we hadn't? What if we just let the herd and the newborns continue to eat away at the depleted pasture until nothing was left. What if we have let them drain the waterholes and dry out? How long would the herd survive?

As is usual, I rode drag this fall and besides eating a lot of dust, I also heard a lot of grumbling.

Impregnated cows let me know that they didn't care to be moving so much - and bulls harrumphed at me and each other because they had gotten comfortable in their small "private" section of pasture. But what if they had not moved and the land had not been renewed? Cows and bulls don't think of such things - but ranchers and wranglers do.

In the 2nd book of Chronicles, a dying nation is given hope. They are self-destructing from within and powerful enemies from without are actively seeking to wipe them out. The leadership of the nation is weak and corrupt while the elites are cheering on the coming destruction as they gain control and power over the people. (Hmmm. sounds familiar) But there is hope. And the word of hope is: "If."

What does one do when driving from Denver to LA and discover you are entering New York City? What does one do if bound for Canada you find yourself crossing into Mexico? Keep going? Or turn around?

As many of you know the word for "sin" basically means to be going the wrong way ... and the word for "repentance" basically means to turn around. You can still get to LA even if you find yourself in Brooklyn ... and you can still get to Calgary even from Tijuana. But only if you turn around to do it.

The people of God had gone the wrong way and they were on the road to destruction. But the prophets were sent to point them back. Like the rancher who moves his cattle from the worn out pastures so the land can renew itself, so God called the nation to remove the false leaders and false prophets so that the faith could be restored. "If my people ... will wake up and come to their senses and return to the Way I have shown them - then I will hear, forgive and heal." That's the deal. And the key word is: "If." You and I have to decide because it is up to us.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].