The recent standoff in Washington’s debt talks are symptomatic of a much deeper illness within the very core of our nation. Other signs of the sickness pervade American society: rampant drug use; the soaring rate of out-of-wedlock births combined with legitimizing the murder of thousands of unborn children; a sinking economy; large numbers of able-bodied people who do not work, but live on the government dole; an entertainment industry whose wares are salacious if not pornographic; a national judiciary that seems to have abandoned common sense; and–worst of all–a president and legislature more concerned with reelection than solutions.

Dr. Charles Stanley’s sermon and book, “Turning the Tide,” urges listeners and readers to humble themselves, repent, pray for our leaders and to seek God. Not bad advice. Think about it. If those in our Congress would put aside their pride, turn from wickedness and selfishness, pray to their Maker and look for His face and His wisdom, could their differences not be resolved?

Certainly a lack of faith in God is at the heart if it, but it all boils down to an attitude of “What’s in it for me?” A professor of mine once said he believed all the world’s problems stemmed from selfishness. Never has his homespun wisdom been more true. Our man in the White House is so concerned with his reelection that he is willing to retain entitlement programs at a level that is unsustainable in order to garner for himself those left wing votes he needs to win in 2012 and blame the opposing party for the nation’s ills. Next, the Democrats want to raise the legal limit of our national debt so they can continue to spend more money than the country has or will have in the distant future; they do not seem to understand the meaning or consequences of bankruptcy. And the Republicans may be the worst of all, individually grandstanding and openly criticizing the President and his party instead of looking for and working toward bipartisan cooperation that will get us moving forward. All this because of selfishness and pride.

Think about this: a nation of 300 million is being ruled by 545 people (Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branches combined) who ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOBS.

What is needed? I could write a laundry list that would extend into the next county, but these points are immediately germane to the current situation: (1) our nation–in particular our leaders–must return to God; (2) our government at all levels must stop ruling us and serve us; (3) our government must live within its means–NO DEBT!; (4) those who serve in government positions–at all levels–must humble themselves and regard their employer as the people, not the government; (5) our contentious two-party politics must become two-party cooperation.

I believe Galatians 6:7 says it all: “A man reaps what he sows.” As a nation, if we continue to sow selfishness, that is what we will reap. If we continue to ask, “What’s in it for me?” selfishness is what we will reap. How to heal the sickness within our land? “…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 WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Jere Geurin