How Faith, Wisdom, and Vision Can Guide Us Through National and Global Challenges
In the midst of heated debates about America’s origins, it’s easy to get lost in arguments over whether our nation was founded as a Christian nation. But perhaps the more pressing question is not about our past, but about our present—and our future. What does it mean to live by faith in God today, especially when our nation faces so much chaos, division, and uncertainty? Let’s set aside the debates and focus on what really matters: how faith can shape our lives and our response to the world’s challenges.
Habakkuk 2 and National Chaos: Finding Hope in Troubled Times
The ancient Hebrew prophet Habakkuk lived in a time of national upheaval. His world was marked by injustice, violence, and fear of what might come next. In Habakkuk chapter 2, God tells the prophet, “the righteous will live by their faith.” These words weren’t just for Habakkuk—they’re for anyone facing uncertainty. Faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting God’s goodness and justice, even when the world seems out of control.
Today, America finds itself in a similar place. Political divides run deep. Many feel anxious about the future, overwhelmed by the headlines, and unsure who to trust. But like Habakkuk, we’re invited to live by faith—not blind optimism, but a steady trust in God’s presence and purpose, even when we can’t see the whole picture.
Rejecting Religious Bigotry: Keeping Faith Above Politics
There’s a real danger in mixing faith with politics in a way that breeds intolerance or self-righteousness. The late Billy Graham, a respected Christian leader, warned against politicizing religion and turning faith into a weapon for one party or ideology. He once said, “When religion is too closely tied to politics, the gospel message gets lost.” We do well to remember that faith should unite us in love and humility—not divide us with anger or fear.
Living by faith means rejecting bigotry, prejudice, and the urge to judge others by their beliefs or backgrounds. It means remembering that God’s love is bigger than any political party or national identity. True faith calls us to be bridge-builders, not gatekeepers.
Facing Global Challenges: Wisdom for a Troubled World
Our world is grappling with enormous challenges—pandemics that upend daily life, climate change threatening the planet we share, growing inequality, and the rise of authoritarianism both at home and abroad. These are not simple problems, and they can’t be solved by slogans or quick fixes.
In times like these, we need wisdom and courage. The Hebrew prophets spoke truth to power, challenged injustice, and called people back to God’s vision of justice, mercy, and peace. Their voices echo across the centuries, reminding us that faith isn’t passive—it’s active. It inspires us to care for the vulnerable, seek the common good, and work for a more just and compassionate society.
Seeking Wisdom, Courage, and Vision: Lessons from the Prophets
Today, we’re called to the same prophetic vision. Wisdom helps us discern what’s right in complicated times. Courage empowers us to act, even when it’s costly or unpopular. Vision gives us hope—a sense that something better is possible, and that God is at work even in our darkest moments.
The prophets remind us to listen, to learn, and to speak up for those who are hurting. They challenge us to look beyond our own comfort and see the bigger picture: a world where everyone can flourish.
Faith as a Lifestyle: Choosing Trust and Love Every Day
Living by faith isn’t just for Sundays or for moments of crisis. It’s a daily choice—a way of seeing and being in the world. For me, faith means anchoring my life in God’s love, even when I’m uncertain or afraid. It means taking risks to love my neighbor, to forgive, to serve, and to hope. It means believing that every small act of kindness matters.
Faith is less about having all the answers, and more about trusting the One who does. It’s about letting God’s love shape our words, our actions, and our dreams for the future.
The Need for Moral Imagination: Envisioning a Better Tomorrow
If we want to address injustice, heal our nation, and build a better world, we need what some call “moral imagination.” This means picturing a world where justice rolls down like waters, as the prophet Amos wrote—a world where differences are celebrated, where the poor are lifted up, and where peace is more than a dream.
Kingdom vision isn’t about escaping reality—it’s about transforming it. It’s the courage to imagine what could be, and the faith to work toward it, step by step.
Conclusion: Living by Faith, Seeking Wisdom, Acting with Courage
In these uncertain times, let’s choose faith over fear. Let’s seek wisdom, speak with courage, and act with love. Let’s refuse to let our faith be hijacked by politics or prejudice, and instead let it inspire us to build bridges, pursue justice, and imagine a future where all can flourish.
Like Habakkuk, we may not see the end of the story—but we can live by faith, trusting that God is with us, guiding us, and calling us to be agents of hope in a hurting world. May we walk by faith, love boldly, and never lose sight of the vision for a better tomorrow.
Minister A Francine Green
January 2026
afrancinegreen.com 