Ignorance – It’s way more than bliss! It’s downright deadly.

We’ve all seen the videos. A interviewer walks onto a college campus and begins asking students elementary questions about the United States, the Constitution, or basic American History. As their eyes glaze over, we are jettison back to the 1980’s as we listen to their Valley Girl attempts to answer. As they regurgitate all the mindless cliches they fill the uncomfortable moments of silence with a litany of “yeah...so, like....totally”.
We laugh, as is the intent of the videos, and we may even feel a sense of sympathy for them as we wonder how they will ever function outside their groupthink clique of college buddies. But, as time waits for no one, here is where we find ourselves. The new millennium and an entire section of society ill-equipped to even look out for themselves, let alone the survival of an entire nation.
As the Coronavirus swept the United States, people initially did some extraordinary things in effort to help not only themselves, but their communities as well. But the government was right on the heels of goodwill. Lapping up the selflessness of our citizenry and spewing out a list of rules and regulations that are not only unconstitutional, but so vague and rapidly changing, no one can say with an honest face that they even know what all those rules actually are.
One thing I must often remind myself when confusion overwhelms the atmosphere, is that Satan himself is the author of confusion. (1 Cor. 14:33) If you have ever had 2 different people do your taxes and they each come back with a different dollar amount that is either owed or due, you know exactly what I mean. That’s when you know evil is gaining ground and the Devil is taking advantage. Get people confused to the point of not being able to agree, and you can get away with murder.
As we read through the headlines, we see stories of states releasing felons from prison, for the sake of the coronavirus. While at the same time arresting parents in the park, hairstylists in their salons, and restaurant owners and taking them to jail! But it’s all for the sake of the coronavirus. So, who do you think is the author of this most irrational and confusing situation? Hmmmm?
Most recently, Salon Owner Shelly Luther of Texas, who opened her business due to her financial need, was arrested, taken to jail, stood before a judge, and was told to apologize for her selfishness. Her response to the judge for opening her Salon was to simply feed and take care of her children. And that, in her words, was “not selfish”. Luther was sentenced to 7 days in jail, and a $7,000 fine. People on social media and the political arena swooned to her defense.
But the reaction has even more disturbing, but less obvious problems. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick came forward saying he would “pay the fine” for Ms. Luther. Now, on the surface you think that sounds very nice. But it really made my stomach turn. Why would he pay the fine? He was one of the many responsible for bringing the legislation in the first place! There shouldn’t be a fine to begin with! So here you have corrupt politicians playing both sides of the fence. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is playing both oppressor and savior. Of course you cannot be a savior until someone needs saving. And what would an average salon owning American need saving from? Well, people like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Confusing, huh?
If only we could hit the rewind button. Go back to the previous generation and warn them about how our freedoms would be on the verge of obliteration unless they teach their children the lessons they truly need to know. Instead of teaching them about accepting transgenderism, teach them about the dangers of socialism and communism. Instead of teaching them about how wonderful Sweden is, teach them about the uniquely wonderful privilege of living in America. Instead of teaching them about evolution and the survival of the fittest, teach them about the Constitution and the survival of all.
But alas, I am afraid that potentially too many years have passed since people were taught the truth about America. Too many people have no idea of the divine purpose of our country nor the Constitution. As so many of the videos I talked about earlier reveal, we have a great number of people who do not know the contents nor the value of the Constitution of the United States of America. And a society who does not understand the Constitution, will never raise a finger to defend it.
But is it all doom and gloom? Maybe. And maybe not. When we turn to God’s Word, we see from generation to generation some patterns in the way God deals with His people. He does not give us all our wants and, at times, He allows pain and suffering into our lives. But is it all bad? Hebrews 12:11says, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” In other words, the great discomfort we have right now, in the hands of an almighty God, can bring goodness in the end. And that is the pattern we see throughout the scriptures, people in their ignorance rebel against God. God allows pain and suffering into their lives. People cry out to God for help. God hears their cries and sends a prophet. The prophet reminds them of their rebellion and need to repent. The people repent. And God brings them into a time of blessing. They people forget their need for God. They fall into rebellion again. God sends judgement. The people cry out to Him again. Rain falls on both the Godly and ungodly, but like the coil of an old telephone cord, the cycle repeats itself over and over again for all to see.
I hear many people asking the question how bad is this going to get? I would answer: until the Lord achieves His purpose through it. And throughout the scriptures, God’s purposes are always good. He is bringing about an eternal result in the lives of His people. But that result is accomplished only through wisdom. In chapter 4 of Hosea, the prophet proclaims the word of the Lord by saying, “Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land”. In other words, God has a lot a problems with you people and He is about to lay it all out. Sin was rampant, and the downward spiral was a result of their rebellion. Verse 6 sums it all up, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
Sobering words, but hope need not be far away. Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to embrace His ways. Maybe the divine light of American ideals could be known once more. Now is the time to share the Word of God regardless of the consequences. And though it may seem a bit paradoxical, it will produce the result far beyond what we could ever hope. If not in this present age, in the age to come.
Written by

Emilee Danielson