It's Time to Turn

So, this was on my mind yesterday and I posted about it on Facebook:

One friend posts about the atrocities of the New York decision to allow babies to be aborted up to birth - and I am reminded how wicked we are as a nation.
Scroll down a couple posts.
I see another friend asking for prayer for our soldiers, federal employees going without paychecks, understanding from landlords/bankers with first-of-the-month payments soon coming due, end to the turmoil so many are facing right now - and I am reminded how desperate we are as a nation.
Wicked.
And desperate.
Not a good combination, if you ask me.
We shun Him, but we need Him!
America, wake up!
We need to humble ourselves, pray and seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways. Holding on to wickedness is not going to ease our desperation!

The thing is, we have people so eager to seek God's help in the midst of our suffering - but not so many recognizing our need to repent and turn to Him in humbleness of heart. And the more I think of this paradox the more I realize: we simply cannot have it both ways.
Our world today seems very quick to make the need known and expect it to be met. Whether it's praying for furloughed federal employees, asking for physical healing, or seeking comfort in the midst of sorrow - people seem quite adept at wanting God's help. Even if they may not necessarily believe in or look to Him in other times.
(Please know, I am not saying it is a bad thing to seek God when we are in need. He knows we need Him. We were made to need Him. He is not afraid of our needs. It isn't bad to seek the fulfillment of our needs in Him. Hang on with me to process the whole thought...)
However, our world today also seems very slow to acknowledge God as more than an answer-er of our prayers. For the most part, we go after what WE want. We do the things that please US. The things which make OUR lives convenient or comfortable or care-free. Rather than worshipping the One who gave us life, we worship life and all it's pleasures - sacrificing hope at the altar of SELF. We have lost sight of
(or never had it to begin with) God's holiness, and the response to Him we ought to have - of reverent fear and awe.
And I cannot help but wonder, Why? Why would a holy God answer the prayers of a people who disregard Him - His righteous standards, who openly and proudly mock Him with their laws and policies, who profane Him with their words and actions, but who seek Him when times are troublesome? WHY???

Friends, God's grace is amazing.
His love is eternal.
But we have to surrender to Him and His ways if we want to receive that grace and love.
We cannot have it OUR way if we want HIS blessing.
It's time to turn.