And what if racism were a symptom rather than the cause of our nation’s ills? I was recently reminded of this letter written as if from Jesus to America from a book called The Eighth Letter.
To the Angel of America write; He who is the fountainhead of freedom and wellspring of liberty, the One who brings down democracies and dictators alike says this:
I know your deeds that you have been a light to the nations. You have restrained evil and covered Jacob with your wings. You inspired the helpless, drew the persecuted to your shores and nourished distant lands. And you allowed my people the freedom to worship without fear.
You persevered amidst powers greater than yourself, but not by your own hand. I know you have become a target for every two-bit leader and self-exalting head of State and that you shudder under the weight of your own elected leaders. But have I not begun to give you the leaders you deserve? Your moorings have long been strained by your oppression of different races – all while trumpeting a National covenant that says they are your equals. You have not repented but grown arrogant instead. You stagger in economic uncertainty and flounder in moral vacancy. Yet you abide . . . for now.
Nevertheless, I hold these faults to be self-evident: You let loose the bonds of truth and shackle yourself to lies. You look only to the Right and to the Left, and only “up” when a national tragedy occurs. You trust in your ramparts, but your levees, unrepaired and inadequate, have burst before the storm! What was once a fruited plain now drowns in waves of pain.
Therefore, consider the motives behind your founding and repent of the violence and rebellion that plagues you from birth. Make straight paths for your feet instead of building more highways. Repair weakened families rather than bridges. Humble yourselves under the weight of your burdens and forego your dreams of prosperity and empire. If you do not repent, I will come to you quickly and remove the torch of freedom from the hand of liberty and oppressors will afflict you from morning till night – not pausing for dawn’s early light.
He who has an ear let him hear what the Sprit says to America. To him who overcomes I will grant him eternal freedom. Unperturbed by tyranny, he will enjoy everlasting honor among those who abide forever in My presence.
From The Eighth Letter by Mark Barnard and Kenneth Quick (Churchsmart 2014).