“America’s Version of ‘One Flew Over “the Cuckoo’s Nest’”

Sometimes, as someone once said, “Truth is stranger than fiction.”

Such is certainly the case these days in these former “United States of America:” for we are anything but united.  Instead, we’re divided on just about everything: whether it be politics, religion, national defense, the economy, global warming, etc.

But, we shouldn’t be surprised: because God’s Word said it would be this way in the Last Days (which we’re definitely living in).  Yes, when we read passages like Matthew 24:3-26, 36; Romans 1:18-32; II Thessalonians 2:1-12; II Timothy 3:1-7, 12-13; 4:3-4 and II Peter 2:1-3:7, it’s clear God has “turned so many over to a reprobate,. perverse or perverted mind” (Rom. 1:28).

Yes, it’s clear many folks’ consciences have been “seared like meat with a hot iron” and can no longer discern between right-and-wrong (I Tim. 4:1-2).  Likewise, everywhere we look there’s lawlessness: whether it be teenagers running wild through stores and city streets—or wholesale corruption in the highest ranks of government.

And, we shouldn’t be surprised: because the “spirit of the antichrist” is alive-and-well in our world today: because God has “sent a spirit of delusion” into this world (II Thess. 2:11), allowing the evil one and his army of demons to have a field day at our expense.

Does that mean God’s no longer sovereign or omnipotent?  No, not at all; in fact, the very fact that He allows this shows that He’s still God and there is no other.

Look at it this way: some often ask the question “Why does God allow evil?”  But, in reality, we should be asking “Why does God allow humans??”  Yes, even though He knew Adam and Eve would eat of the forbidden fruit, He still allowed them to do it.

Why?  Why would He do that (even as He does today)?

It’s because He loves us enough to give us the freedom to choose: for He’s not some celestial Dictator, Who says “It’s My Way or the highway;” neither is He into forced adoptions and shotgun weddings.

No, as in the Garden of Eden, He still gives us the freedom to choose which road we’ll travel on in life—along with the freedom to choose upon which type of foundation we’ll build our lives (Matthew 7:13-14, 24-27).

So, that’s why America increasingly more resembles the movie, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” than it does John Boy and Walton’s Mountain or Little House On the Prairie.  Gone are the days when we loved shows like “Lassie,” “Father Knows Best,” “Leave It to Beaver,” “The Rifleman,” etc.

Yes, you’ll recall that the 1975 film, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” starred Jack Nicholson and won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Lead Actor, Lead Actress and Screenplay.  It also won six Golden Globe Awards.

It was set in the 1960s and portrayed a security ward in a state mental hospital in Oregon.  One of the main characters, Nurse Ratched (played by Louise Fletcher) was constantly in a tizzy because of the antics of Nicholson and the other patients in ward.

And, soon, it became apparent that the patients seemingly had it more together than the hospital staff: which is, in many ways, a sad commentary (parody) on America today.

Yes, so many of those entrusted to lead us no longer seem to have common sense.  Sadly, the same is true in churches: where they’re more into entertaining folks than they are “rightly dividing the Word” and preaching about Heaven, hell, sin and its wages, etc.

That’s why we should pray for a mighty moving of God in these Last Days where His Spirit is unleashed in every believer’s life.  We should also pray for a fresh anointing on those who stand in God’s holy pulpits: that they may boldly preach the Word the way that Peter did on the Day of Pentecost.

And, maybe, just maybe, if “all of the above” would happen, we’d see Joel’s prophecy in Joel 2:28-32 being fulfilled once again as it was that day when Peter preached, men repented and “3,000 souls were added to the church that day” (Acts 2:14-41).

Can it happen?  Can we see another mighty moving of God’s Spirit in our land?

I guess it all depends upon us.  The question is “How badly do we want it??”

        (NOTE:  If you’d like to contact Bro. Tom or receive his daily devotional, entitled “Morning Manna,” you can e-mail him at pressingon@hotmail.com).