I was taking my usual after-dinner stroll with Teddy, my dog. We went through the park and then around the neighborhood a bit before heading back home. My dog always makes a beeline for “the MAGA house,” as I call it. The owner of that house has two female poodles, of whom Teddy is quite fond! 

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This house is the home of a very hospitable neighbor. He has turned his garage into a man cave, complete with a bar, a TV, and all kinds of Trump paraphernalia. He rotates in two flags every two days, one on each side of his garage. These include the American flag, an assortment of Trump flags, the Thin Blue Line police flag, and others whose messages focus on President Biden — such as Go Brandon and similar (even derogatory) themes. No passersby need wonder where this homeowner stands politically.

This house has become a hangout for the MAGA crowd — hence my nickname for it. The conversations here usually revolve around the news and politics of the day. Sometimes the homeowner and his guests watch football games on the big screen. Many of the visitors are blue-collar types who lean heavily toward the conservative side of the sociopolitical spectrum. I find most of them to be sincere, hardworking people. The beer flows freely here (though you can be sure you won’t find Bud Light being served).    

As I walked up the driveway and let Teddy off his leash to frolic with his girlfriends, I perceived a rather somber mood in the twilight of the day. The owner of the house and two neighbors were seated in chairs in front of the garage. Projecting a discouraged look, the owner offered me a beer.

I thought I knew what might be troubling him. “Not a good day for Trump,” I said. “I guess you read the indictments against him.” He replied that he had. Then, shaking his head, he said: “It is just relentless. They never stop.” Obviously, he was fed up with it all. His support for Trump over the past eight years has been unwavering. He has stood strong. Now the disappointment was palpable. I, too, felt it, and my heart ached for Trump. This has been a long, difficult road.

Looking at the three men, I said: “You know, we are not wrestling against people. We are wrestling against cosmic forces of evil.” They in turn looked back at me, interested in what I had to say.

I went on to describe, as a believer in Christ, my understanding of the cosmic and spiritual battle between good and evil that is raging in our world, as written in the Bible. Going back to the beginning, I related the account of Adam and Eve and their rebellion against God in the Garden of Eden. I related also that God had first created spiritual beings who roam in a spiritual space but who have influence over people on earth. I explained that a rebellion had occurred among their ranks also. Before this rebellion, these spiritual beings had been given authority over the nations. They became the rulers, authorities, principalities, and dominions — collectively called the “cosmic forces of evil.” I asserted that Satan is the master who wields influence over the earth in its current darkened state. It is no wonder that the world is in such a mess, I said, but all these evil forces will be destroyed when Jesus returns to our planet.

I sensed the enemy attempting to use distractions to interfere with my speaking, but I boldly pushed ahead. I told these men that God has a plan for this earth and all its inhabitants. Jesus came to establish a new kingdom that works even now within this earthly realm — a kingdom that people can enter now and in which they can choose to live. The key to entering this kingdom is faith in Christ. A transformation occurs in the hearts of all who are obedient and submissive to Christ, and this transformation heals hearts and breaks down strongholds in people’s minds, allowing them to spread love to a fallen world. This bridges the divide between God and humankind, and it allows a blessed relationship to grow. And it gives believers power over the evil in their lives.

The two visitors engaged me with questions and comments. As I shared my faith, there was some pushback and resistance. I told them how much I appreciated the opportunity to simply speak to them, with no judgment or expectation, but simply as a time of sharing ideas, one with another. They discussed some of their own experiences with “religion.” Then, one man said he had a previous commitment and had to leave, though he was quite cordial as he walked off. The other fellow and I continued speaking. He talked about his “faith” in the universe and in himself. I asked how much the universe loves him — a question that evidently stopped and puzzled him.

He insisted that all religions are essentially the same: They all present belief in some type of deity. I replied that only in Christianity has God sacrificed His own Son for our benefit as fallen beings. This, I said, was a true sacrificial act of love. My listener said he believes that one reaps what he sows — and thus, he tries to be a “good person,” he said. Meanwhile, he was smoking a cigarette. I said to him: “I bet you wish you could stop smoking.” I shared that both my parents had smoked, and that my mom had died at only 50 and my dad at 57, and that smoking had been a factor in both deaths. He looked at me and confessed that, yes, it bothers him when his young son sees him light up a cigarette. I told him that the God I serve gives me the power to overcome such bondages in my life. His response: “Well, I would need to see Him before I believe.”

I told him about recent experiences with some family members and neighbors, and how I’d gotten into tense moments because I’d expressed views contrary to their own. Nevertheless, I said, I’m learning to love others as Christ has loved me, and I’ve seen kind words bring reconciliation and turn away wrath and harsh feelings.

The conversation lasted about an hour. I wrapped it up by telling him that I truly desire the best for him — that he might succeed in everything, and also that he might see his family prosper and their relationships strengthened. As I got up to leave, he looked at me and said with a big smile: “I want to give you a hug.” He got up and gave me a big bear hug and held me tight for some time. I was, frankly, a little overwhelmed with emotion and felt a sincere connection with him. How often does a total stranger want to hug me? He was truly inspired by our conversation.

Human Hearts Are Being Prepared

I believe that no matter what transpires in our nation, God is using all things to bring about His plan of redemption in this fallen world. And He uses us as an extension of Himself to bring light to the lost. I experienced an opportunity to touch the lives of my neighbors with the sacrificial love that comes from my relationship with Christ. God is using this difficult time in our nation for His glory. I see people struggling with this astonishingly swift transformation of our society toward tyranny and evil. I see prolonged discouragement taking a toll. But I also see hearts that are now prepared to receive His truth and His love.

I tell this story to encourage you and to help give you an understanding of the bigger plan God established when He created the earth. Jesus came here to reconcile humankind to God. He provided the means by which we could become literally God’s sons and daughters. He gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. He uses suffering to transform our nature and make it like His own. As we become more like Him, His love can flow from us to others. I encourage you all to step out and allow yourself to be vulnerable before the lost. As you walk in His love toward others, you are going to find a peace come over you, because you will witness the word of God coming true in your life. You will see the love of God made manifest in your being. This is God’s plan for the Church. We become literally the Body of Christ, and we reveal to a fallen world a love that it does not know. It is this kind of sacrificial love that is going to change the nation, one person at a time. 

The apostle Paul says we are not to put our hope in anything of this world, because when we enter the kingdom of God, though we still live in this world, we are no longer of it. So, let us not be tempted to allow the chaos to affect our faith, for the enemy is surely after our faith. That is why Paul exhorts us to “fight the good fight of faith” (see 1 Timothy 6:12). The battle is in the mind. Our collective faith is what is ultimately used against the Enemy to bring an end to his evil reign. God’s plan of redemption for mankind is moving forward. By faith we must believe in His plan. We should continue to pray for the rulers over us and to intercede for our nation, remembering that the cosmic forces of evil will be destroyed when Jesus returns (see 1 Corinthians 15:24).

I choose to trust God while He works out his plan. Will you trust Him too?

Pray with me:

Dear Father, increase our faith to trust You to bring about Your purposes for this fallen world. Help us to properly prioritize our hope. Use our suffering, as we experience evil and chaos, to transform our hearts and fill us with Your love for others. Give us patience and a new perspective in our prayer life to further your kingdom. Teach us how to love others. Show us Your ways. Open doors for us to share Your love. Amen.  

What opportunities have you had to reach neighbors for Christ? Share below!

Michael Guidera is an IFA intercessor retired from a 35-year career developing implantable medical devices that have brought help and relief to thousands of people. Photo Credit: Jonathan Duran/Unsplash.