The U.S. and Russian governments are
polarized on the future of Ukraine, and the annexation of Crimea. The outcome will affect Euro/Russo/U.S. relations for years to come.
If Obama concedes, he'll look like he's kowtowing to Putin, who
is unlikely to abandon plans to enlarge Russia's sphere. Is this an international game of “chicken?”
This is not the first game of “chicken” between these two. Last year Obama surrendered control to Putin over the issue of disposing chemical weapons in Syria. And since drawing a red line with Iran, Obama has been resisted by Putin in stopping, or even slowing down, Iran's Russian-backed nuclear development program.
Why does this matter to us? Most theologians believe Bible prophecy excludes any U.S. role
in the end times. Is it too implausible to think that the influence of the world's only superpower could be waning? Could these failed “chicken” games be, as Joel Rosenberg would say, a harbinger of things to come? Is it not incumbent on us to discern the times, and to pay attention to these things?
All this talk about the ‘fiscal cliff’ brings to mind a story I used to use in counseling.
A wealthy man interviews 3 men for the position of limousine driver, taking each to a high mountain road, posing the question: “How close do you think you can drive to the edge of this road without going over the cliff?” The first one says,“Oh, I could get within 2 feet of the edge of the road without going over.” The second one says, “Oh, I think I could get within a foot of the edge.” But the third one responds, “Are you kidding, I wouldn’t go anywhere near the edge of this cliff!” To which, the wealthy man replies, “You’re hired!”
The “Driving over a Cliff” threat is bringing out the machismo in Wash. D.C.—a political game of Chicken. How close each party is willing to go to the edge is yet to be determined. Of course there is a loaded spiritual analogy too. The second we start thinking about how close we can get to temptation without actually sinning, we're already over the cliff. Listen to the wisdom of Solomon: “Don't follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don't go that way. Turn away and keep moving” (Proverbs 4:14-15).
Remember all the brouhaha that stirred up everyone’s feathers last month when Chick-fil-A’s CEO said his company had donated money to organizations that held to a biblical view of marriage? Many gay rights groups called for boycotts. But supporters flocked to the stores.
While the public relations experts were convinced it would be Chick-fil-A’s undoing, it appears the ‘bad’ PR helped the fried chicken chain. Consumption of Chick-fil-A chicken was up 2.2% over this time last year.
Is Chick-fil-A getting a juicy piece of justice after so many people cried ‘fowl.’
The commandments of the Lord are more desirable than the finest gold, sweeter than honey dripping from the comb [or a biscuit]. They are a great reward for those who obey them” (Psalm 19:10-11 edited).
Last month, Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy took an uncompromising stance against gay marriage. Since his business is family-owned, the restaurant chain itself became the latest victim of the law against intolerance. Mayors of Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C. immediately condemned Cathy’s remarks, and declared their cities a no-commerce zone for Chick-fil-A restaurants.
The conflict took the form of a national food fight yesterday when Mike Huckabee declared Wednesday national “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.” The result: a lot of conservatives had chicken for lunch (while their critics are crow). Not to be outdone, gay rights advocates have called for a "National Same-Sex Kiss Day" to be held Friday at Chick-fil-A restaurants all over the country.
But the real chicken bone of contention is the damage being done to free speech. Chick-fil-A has the right to express its views. And opponents have a right to express theirs. But neither side has a right to silence the other, which is what happened when the mayors said they would shut out Chick-fil-A from their market place. In effect, saying (ironically), “We will not tolerate intolerance.” in the future, don’t be surprised to see more of that kind of fowl play.
“The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations… God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it” (2 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13).
When Peter and Paul wrote these words, they weren’t only talking about personal temptations, but the tribulations that had already started coming up against the Church. (In fact, shortly thereafter, both Peter and Paul were violently martyred.) In writing these words, it was their intent for these ‘new’ believers to know they could trust God in their crises—He would provide a way of escape.
Last week in Joplin, Missouri, when the terrible tornado came, people were unprepared—they had nowhere to run to for safety. It reminds me of Daniel’s words about how people will react in the end times: “many shall run to and fro…"(12:2-4). What does ‘to and fro” mean? Could it mean people who run around in a frenzied manner, “like a chicken with its head cut off?” Could it describe fearful persons who don’t know that God is the only way of escape? “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
God says ‘I am like an eagle that carries you on wings of deliverance.’ (Ex. 32) Isaiah says “those who hope in the Lord… will soar on wings like eagles (40:31). Some eagles’ wings can be nearly 7 feet across. The ‘bald eagle’ rides on columns of rising air and can average speeds of 30 miles per hour. With wings like that, isn’t it obvious eagles were born to fly?
There is no bird more dissimilar from the eagle than a barnyard chicken. Chickens are quite content being earthbound and confined. Even when a chicken tries to fly, he barely gets more than a few feet off the ground! Since we possess a ‘heavenly’ spirit, there is something wrong if we are satisfied with the comfort and familiarity of earth. Created to fly like eagles, we cannot be content unless we soar in the wide-open spaces of the heavens.
Jesus said “I am from above.” Even so, we too are “born from above” and possess an innate desire to soar above the earth. I know what someone is saying right now. In your circumstances, it seems like God has clipped your wings and cooped you up. But if you will set your mind on things above and stop thinking about things on earth (Col. 3:2), you will soon be soaring like an eagle.
