I was actually quite calm after reading Emerald Robinson’s article America Has Fallen into Tyranny. (the definition of Tyranny for reference, unless the dictionary decides to change it on a whim like they have been recently known to do). A few years ago if I read Robinson’s article, my blood would be boiling. I highly recommend giving her post a quick read so you can better understand the gist of this post. Especially, for you men who just put your heads down, try to be good, and take care of your family. I was you until Easter 2020 was canceled (Paul writes about the need to assemble in Hebrews 10:25) in my former state of Oregon. We had completed 2 weeks isolation to “flatten the curve” and then another few weeks just to be double sure. Then the Governor with local church support cancelled gathering on the most sacred holiday to Christians and the reasoning didn’t quite add up. It was at that moment, I decided to start doing my own research and not stop until I got answers. After getting my answers, and even if I didn’t get 100% proof of things, I had enough information to make informed decisions. This is why I now read Robinson’s piece and remain calm. I have been watching this for two years like a tsunami building higher and higher out in the ocean; miles away. It’s as if I was hanging on the beach with my family, playing catch with the kids and then spotted the small but growing wave on the horizon. I would point it out to people around me and they would shrug it off and go back to their sand castle building or slathering sun-block lotion all over themselves (safety first). I mean c’mon Coach H the wave is way out there; we must be doing the right things, and besides it looks pretty small.
So how does one remain calm after reading about all the injustices going on in our society at the present moment? The injustices range from cancel culture, to punishing one side and not the other for the same crime, to intimidating supreme court justices, to election fraud, to violating habeas corpus rights. How do I as a man remain calm and not immediately go into a fit of rage? Do I just avert my eyes and worry about my own personal situation; the “I got mine” syndrome (which goes hand in hand with the “sucks to be you” syndrome).
Start praying now. Most of us men do not pray enough. I mean right now pray for your community, your nation and your enemies. Pray for wisdom. This is a spiritual battle so fight in the spiritual realm. Remember, Satan is not and will never be God’s equal.
Attend church. If you don’t have a church or don’t like the one you have then find a new one that preaches the Gospel. This may be tough if you are allergic to church (I will have a post about this soon). For now just go and sow into a church community and be the church Jesus is calling you to participate in. The building collective faith will stamp out the collective fear that has taken over our society.
Start The Fishermen’s Club in your area. It just starts with 2 men getting together for a beer or coffee. Invite someone from your church. Then invite a few more and let it grow. Make sure you are meeting up every week or every other week. Be intentional about meeting, but be informal on your meet-up rules; this is not a Bible study or presentation. It gives room to talk about all sorts of topics and allows individuals to have their own conversations. The purpose is to provide a space to build relationships. These men will become good sources for counsel for you. They also will become men who can take action with you when the time for action is needed.
The antidote to tyranny is Christian men coming together and standing firm in how our communities, our states and our nation should be run. This way we can work together to find ways to peaceably resist before it is too late and we are forced into subservience.