He Hears Us

Even when all we do is complain

I have been relatively quiet lately. It is a strange time for me and the world we live in, stranger than usual. My best guess as to what is happening lately is that the events of the world are catching up to what we speculated about so many months ago. A typical day will usually find me listening and observing more than commenting (or writing articles). So much is going on in world events and the news it’s hard to keep up and when I am caught up, I am at a loss for words. Or maybe, it just seems like no one is really listening anymore.

                Unless you have been living on an island somewhere or refuse to engage in any social media, the chances are you have heard of Oliver Anthony. You know the humble singer from Virginia with the tree stand behind him and two dogs sitting next to him.

In case you have not seen or heard of this, here is a link:

                This song and this artist have gone beyond viral at this point. Oliver Anthony has several songs now that are in the top 10 downloads on Spotify. It is even more amazing to watch the reaction videos. This message, the complaining that is heard in these songs is heart felt and powerful. He is truly speaking to so many of us. Here is a great reaction video talking about why his music is so powerful:

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxo0Uea54XKNSjKrzDTbkcxtjKoLcqQUYU?si=-SVAhendi3ynppT3

                Much of Oliver Anthony’s (real name Christopher Lunsford) appeal comes from the words that he sings and the genuine passion in how he delivers them. You don’t have to agree with his words to feel the pain and frustration he feels. He has a truly amazing voice but also an amazing talent for allowing us to share in his feelings. I believe most of this country can either relate to this, or they want to. It is obvious many feel the same way as Chris but perhaps they cannot release it as well as he does. The struggle is real for many people in America and the outlets to be heard from are dwindling fast. Our government representatives don’t speak for us, the media ignores us, and the judicial system wants to silence us. Yet somehow, some way we will be heard.

A couple of weeks ago I was headed to church one Sunday morning and was listening to the radio. A woman was testifying how she had lost everything. She was recently divorced and got in a car accident. She had to have surgery and because of the time in the hospital she lost her job. She eventually lost her home and her car. That would be enough to send most of us over the edge. She described how she just cried out to God in anger one Saturday night and wondered if He even cared; did He even hear her.

                The next morning at her church a special speaker came to the pulpit and said he had a message prepared but that God had something else in mind. He said that someone in this audience has cried out to the Lord wanting to know if He hears them. The answer is YES, He hears you. It was a surprisingly powerful testimony from the radio.

As God would have it, we also had a guest speaker that morning and you know what the title of the sermon was? “When You Call On His Name.” There are no coincidences.  I can be pretty thick sometimes, but I was getting the hint this time. God wanted me to know He hears me. It was a terrific message and one that I won’t soon forget. When Jesus was asleep on the boat and the storm and the waves were raging, Jesus kept sleeping. When the boat rocked back and forth, and the rain came down harder Jesus remained asleep. Jesus awoke when His name was called. God hears us.

                It may seem like our country is lost, that no one hears our cry and that the only voice heard is that of the wicked. God doesn’t hear the hear the voice of the wicked he hears us.

“…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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2^nd Chronicles 7:14

                America has some work to do when it comes to humbling ourselves and turning from our wicked ways, but I know people are praying and seeking His face. We will be heard. I have seen the passion and the emotional outcry of those who love this country and want the best for all Americans. I believe God is watching us much like we watch Oliver Anthony and He is moved by our emotion and our passion.

What I have not told you yet is that about a month ago I received my severance from my job of many years. I hated my job. I was thankful for what it provided but I hated it. It was killing me slowly and I knew I needed a change, but I just would not quit. I recall now the many times I complained quietly (and not so quietly) about my managers and the whole woke corporate structure. Sometimes I would pray about it but many times it was passionate grumbling. God heard me. He heard me and provided me with a way out.

                Through a set of circumstances that I can only describe as miraculous, I am now part owner of a Cyber Security/IT company. I never would have even imagined this would be possible. It would not have been possible if God did not close that door behind me. What I am trying to say is that:

God hears us even if it is a heartfelt complaint.

                I believe God wants to hear us from the heart. He wants that cry that comes from brokenness, and he wants to be moved to action much like the songs from Oliver Anthony might move us. God wants genuine emotion, and he wants that release of emotion that often resembles art. It’s happening. It is what I believe I have been witnessing these last few months. We are finally seeing a country that is more ready now than ever to take back power from a tyrannical government. Now that you know He hears us, what will you do?

Biernutz_71

8/24/2023

“I would rather die with Christ and hope in my heart and be called a fool then to stand over the dead corpse of the Republic and say, I told you so.”