The psalmist questions, “Why do you boast, almighty one, of mischief done against the godly? All day long you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery. You love evil more than good and lying more than speaking the truth.” Psalm 52:1-4
These last weeks of watching the destruction within our government, has been distressing and painful. Ripping apart one agency after another, firing gifted people, and ignoring ramifications of these actions, has been both hard and frightening.
Candidate Donald Trump claimed to know nothing of Project 2025, yet it has become a blueprint for daily action. Whether it is silencing the Voice of America, destruction of USAID, or disallowing free speech on college campuses . . . The country is not the same or as free as it was when the year turned over.
Finding a voice of protest louder and more meaningful than Facebook posts, has been challenging. I feel and hear a sense of helplessness in the face of ongoing destruction.
Meanwhile, I continue to be mystified why so many, are unable to see what is so clear to me. Don’t they realize this is the way Dictatorships are born?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s words continue to resonate with me, as he reflected on the support Hitler received. “One virtually feels that one is dealing not at all with a person, but with slogans, catchwords and the like that have taken possession of them. They are under a spell, blinded, misused, and abused in their very being.”
Demonizing anyone who participated in or worked with programs of Diversity, Equity or Inclusion (DEI) has had a chilling effect on our nation. Yesterday’s targeting of the Smithsonian for improper ideology is even more so. Who gets to decide which, and what or when ideology is proper?
While I despair, others are championing the actions taking place now in Washington. Be it the slashing of so-called “bureaucrats,” imprisoning of international students who protested Israel’s carnage in Gaza, policing of thought on college campuses or abandoning programs for the poor.
Lessons of the past teach us that when one group of people is villainized, another will soon follow. Friends echo my own question of, “How do we stop the onslaught, before more and more people are caught in the web of spreading hate?” I wish I had a quick and easy answer. What I do know are protests, calling politicians and demonstrations draw attention to injustice. Complacency in the face of grievous wrong, simply is not a viable option.
The Psalmist encourages us to see a future where today’s injustice is undone . . . A time of true justice, where integrity and compassion are the norm. Having watched the uprooting of past wrongs, the Psalmist rests secure under the watchful eyes of God.
“But I am like a spreading olive tree in God’s house,
for I trust in God’s faithful love for ever and ever.” Psalm 52:8
Discover more from A Pastor's Heart
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
A Pastor's Heart 
Please recall that most of the current leadership are Christians. There’s a lot of disinformation out there right now because people and groups were benefitting from the corruption. Some departments are being consolidated. For instance, the school lunch program, last I heard, was being transferred to the department of Agriculture. The government is spiking inflation by spending 2 trillion dollars more a year than it’s taking in. The US will either have to declare bankruptcy or tax people into poverty. Please keep praying and asking the Lord to sort the truth from the lies—as I’m doing too. God bless.
LikeLike
Thanks for the dialog. My guess is, that we have very different views on many things happening politically right now. I’m not as confident as you that Christians in leadership are acting out their faith, as much as their politics. I worry about Christians in leadership, who ignore the words of Jesus, when they are making decisions.Blessings on your search for the truth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many of the cuts are being consolidated with other departments. You might want to contact your representative for more information about the plans where the money might go. Please don’t forget that many Christians are part of the new administration. There likely will be some dust settling before it’s all sorted out. For instance, DOGE discovered that 1 billion dollars was paid for a 10k survey—and the data went nowhere. NIH has 32 different computer systems and the departments cannot share data, which certainly means our national health system is not operating at a level to meet our needs. Good luck.
LikeLike
I hope you’re right that when the dust settles, this will get better. I have no problem with DOGE working on tech problems, and making outdated computer systems work better. I have a big problems with their making firing decisions based on computer sorts of key words, instead of handing all that to the agencies responsible. There was little thought put into how to cut budgets across the spectrum of the government. Elon Musk wielding a chain saw, is symbolic to me, of the recklessness with which, cuts have been made. I know there are Christians who are part of the government, but too often, I’m seeing people who care about justice and accountability fired.I worry about the shredding of good people in the NIH, and wonder how well we will be prepared for the next pandemic.
LikeLike
Yours are wise words and among the ways of naming the truth so that it does not disappear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Maren. I try. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
My dear, please ask God which voices to listen to. See Psalm :1. USAID was being used as a slush fund for the Democratic party and politicians. The media is not reporting it. The USA is paying more on the interest on the debt than our national defense budget. We are spending ourselves into bankruptcy. Please broaden the voices you listen to. Ask Jesus for discernment because USAID was also being used to spread ungodly culture throughout the world, instead of providing housing for our homeless vets and institutions to assist the mentally ill and addicts.
LikeLike
I can see why a new administration might cut programs they feel are controversial. What I’ve seen instead, is a recklessness in the cutting, that doesn’t evaluate why a program exists. Previous administrations and the military have seen USAID as soft power, that wins friends and extends our influence in many areas of the world. They saw it as increasing stability, reducing economic migration and creating allies to counter Chinese and Russian influence. My denomination has partnered with USAID for decades (as have Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision). Among others, cuts have stopped research into malaria and drug resistant tuberculous at African University, testing for TB in Zimbabwe, malaria medication in remote African villages and closing medical clinics in sparsely populated areas.
LikeLike
Well said, Shirley! You spoke to my heart and to my own concerns and frustrations. This sure doesn’t make dealing with anxiety and depression any easier. That is one of many reasons why I value your voice and your friendship!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the feedback. These are trying times and we do need each other. Each day is another challenge to our Christian values, grounding in democratic freedoms and fears for the most vulnerable among us. My heart hurts for all that is transpiring. Stay strong my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person