Double Down!

When I woke up this morning I was dreading hearing the news regarding our country’s election results. (I did not stay up late to watch the election returns for each state). But then I read Brad McClendon’s facebook post. It was titled the “Season of America Today.” Brad quoted Luke 13:6-9 And He told them this parable: A certain man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find [any].⁷ So he said to the vinedresser, See here! For these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue also to use up the ground [to deplete the soil, intercept the sun, and take up room]?⁸ But he replied to him, Leave it alone, sir, [just] this one more year, till I dig around it and put manure [on the soil]. ⁹ Then perhaps it will bear fruit after this; but if not, you can cut it down and out.

Brad went on to say, “We have been given a chance to turn back to the Lord, and to bring forth His righteousness in our lives through the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, we must allow the Spirit of Truth to dig deep within our souls, to bring forth fruit of repentance to walk the path of Jesus, and completely leaving what our carnal desires want. We have been given time to turn, even in this era of great conflict with our country. I pray that the Holy Spirit be poured out again to allow America to turn back to Jesus Christ. It starts with us individually. Let’s walk with Jesus, not ourselves. God bless America.”

After reading his devotional the phrase double down crossed my mind. I knew this phrase was from the Lord because I don’t use this terminology. Not being exactly sure of what the term meant I “googled” it discovering two dictionary articles: to double one’s original stake after having looked at one’s cards and before receiving an additional card (Cambridge Dictionary); to make a stronger commitment to a strategy or course of action, especially one that may be dangerous, or risky(Oxford Learner’s Dictionary). God has given true followers of Jesus a narrow window of time to repent (be transformed in your thinking and living) and pursue Him to make Him known. Our country is in the condition it’s in because the Church, and its attenders, have chosen to be passive, judgmental, and critical of governmental policies and practices we do not agree with while remaining luke warm in our obedience to and pursuit of Jesus. The question is, Have you taken as much time in prayer for the very things you have criticized and judged? Have you taken as much time in submitting to Jesus – His Word, and Spirit – as you have in avoiding what Jesus has clearly commanded? For example, Jesus has clearly commanded that our relationship with Him should be shared with the world. What would happen in this nation if every true, follower of Jesus took the time to share their walk with Jesus – in some way, every day? Doubling down would mean, making a stronger commitment to a strategy or course of action which may be dangerous or risky. What would happen in this nation if every true, follower of Jesus took the time to pray for our governmental leaders – in some way, every day? What would happen in this nation if every true, follower of Jesus took the time to pray for the lost and “prodigals” you know to become true followers of Jesus? Doubling down would mean, making a stronger commitment to a strategy or course of action which may be costly. (Can you name the lost and prodigals you have tried to share Jesus with?)