Lethargy

The dictionary defines Lethargy as "the quality or state of being drowsy and dull, listless and unenergetic or indifferent and lazy; apathetic or sluggish inactivity".  I can tell you that for myself, this is something I battle.  I battle this in alot of aspects of my life.  I fight it.  Sometimes, I fight it hard, and other times I just succumb to where the lethargy wants to take me.  


It's funny ironic.  In my Sunday school class we just started a new study.  We have started reading together the book by Beth Moore called Get Out of That Pit.  Kind of perfect timing for me.  I've been able to recognize the pits that I go through.  I cycle through them.  In all aspects of my life ~ family, marriage, overall self, spiritual, and political.  And I am just now beginning to recognize how A LOT of them start.  Apathy.  Indifference.  LETHARGY.


I also battle how I balance my faith with politics.  THAT is hard.  But, it really shouldn't be.  All of my political views come from the same place that I get my faith.  The Bible.  And that is how it should be.  But, I guess my balance issues come from how I express them.  I tend to have an acerbic communication style.  I know it.  And I try to  work on that.  I know I am not the best writer, and a lot of times what I say/type does not come out how I really want it to sound.  I call it "passionate" and it is, but most of the time I realize if I just type a post out or a reply and let it sit there before pressing the "post" button, I will be able to reread it after a few minutes and sound more intelligent and less harsh ~ if I have the patience to just let it all out.  I'm trying to learn that.  But oh, sometimes, with some people, oh............  Then I realize that does nothing for me except to make me look like an angry conservative or hypocritical Christian.   And what does that do for either "cause"?  Nothing.  Oh, how I long to be able to exercise Psalm 19:14 with every breath, with every word I type/say.  Psalm 19:14 (NIV 84):
 May the words of my mouth
 and the meditation of my heart 
be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. 

I long to be a voice that makes a difference.  But then I see where that path leads and I think at times ~ "It's too hard"  or "there's too much work involved"  or "there's too much to risk putting myself out there".  And I become LETHARGIC.  And while I sit here being lethargic, my mind whirls.  And I think, "THIS is exactly why this country is where it is right now."
We, the People, have become SO comfortable.  We, the People, have become so accustomed to our way of life.  We sit back and let the few speak for us.  We get angry when the ones speaking don't say what we believe, but then we sit back on our laurels and let it go by without standing up and speaking for ourselves because that would be too hard, too uncomfortable, too much work.  We, the people, have been all too willing to stay stuck in the pit of our lethargy.  We are too comfortable in this horrible pit that we have sunk ourselves into.  

Here is an astonishing little statistic ~ Did you know that there are at least 100 million people in this country who are of voting age that just DON'T VOTE.  But the more astounding (and might I say extremely sad) statistic is that 65% of that 100 million claim to be CHRISTIANS.  This statistic is from Andy Andrews {author of How Do you Kill 11 Million People}.  And it is crushing to me.  I realized that there were Christians out there who didn't vote, but to realize that over 65 million Christians did NOT vote.  Oh, how sad.  This country could be so VASTLY different if we took our faith seriously ~ if we voted our faith.  I guess that is one reason why Paul wrote in  Ephesians 5:14 ~  

for it is light that makes everything visible. 

This is why it is said: 

“Wake up, O sleeper, 
rise from the dead, 
and Christ will shine on you.”

Okay, so Paul didn't write this verse about politics.  But Jesus told us we are the Light of the World ~ we are to make our light visible to all, and not hide it under a bushel.  Oh, conservatives.  Oh, CHRISTIANS ~ we need to wake up.  We need to get out of our Pit of Lethargy.  We need to fall to our knees and repent.   As it says in 2 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 and will forgive their sin

 and will heal their land.

We (and I am talking to myself, more than anyone here) need to wake up, and humble ourselves and beg God to show mercy and heal our land.

I don't want to be lethargic anymore.  Who is with me?


*cross-posted at Smart Girl Politics

Who speaks for you?

Oh, sheesh.  My family and I went on a vacation ~ to DC and South Carolina ~  and had a marvelous time.  But since I have been back, UGH.  I don't even know where to start.  I'm feeling kind of frustrated with politics right now.  Do you ever get like that?  I have a few friends who I know feel that  way.    And the way I feel right now, I know if I try to articulate much of an opinion about any of these, I know the opportunity to sound bitter and angry is VERY much there.

So, here is a recap of things in my world that has been in my sphere ~ probably yours too ;)

First off, redistricting in NY state has been finalized ~ and it was great for us here in my district.  Our representative is still able to run for us!  The district lines were favorable and fair.  So glad I'll be able to vote for Rep. Buerkle.  She has been a good voice for us in New York.  Plus, she is a confirmed speaker at Smart Girl Summit this year!  Yay!

Now, the other things is where my "dander gets up", so to speak.  I was saddened by the news that Sen. Santorum suspended his campaign.  He was my pick, and I am so sad that I won't be able to cast my ballot for him in 12 days.  But, I don't blame him, although I was looking VERY much forward to having a homeschooler in the White House.  But, not yet.

Another one that gets me just plain angry ~ This whole fiasco.  The liberals are set on starting a Race war.  And the rhetoric and parties involved are ramping it up to a level that is totally not necessary.  And this one just boils my blood.  I see a total "Top down, bottom up, inside out" possibility which spells hard times ahead.

And finally (well, not really, but the last one I will mention) is this ~ Faux apology to Ann Romney .  UGH.  I repeat UGH.   And this war on women that the left has launched.  It's despicable.   And let me tell you, as much as they like to scream that they speak for all women out there.  They don't speak for me.  They don't speak for conservatives.  They don't speak for us.

Don't let them speak for you!  You are strong.  Use your voice! 

*cross-posted at http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com