Restoring Our Nation Begins Within
What if healing begins with restored hearts and voices bold enough to speak life back into the land?
Hi Love,
The other day I was walking down the road and saw a tree that had snapped and fallen. Right away I thought of Ezekiel 31. If you remember, that passage describes Assyria like a towering, well-watered cedar. The tree was beautiful, sheltering, and strong, but it fell because its heart grew proud of its height. It forgot the One who made it strong, so God cut it down. In Ezekiel 31:10–11 it says, “Because it was proud of its height...I gave it into the hands of the nations.”
As I reflected on that, I was reminded of Isaiah 10:12, where God says He will punish the fruit of Assyria’s arrogant heart and the glory of its haughty looks, even after He has used them to accomplish His purposes. That’s how seriously God deals with pride. It deepened my reverence for Him and reminded me just how holy and just He truly is. We must never forget that strength and success can become dangerous when they pull us away from the very One who gave them to us in the first place.
With the Fourth of July recently behind us, it made me think about America and our history as a country. And how we now seem to be in danger of becoming like that tree. America was once founded on reverence, moral virtue, and an acknowledgment that freedom comes from God. But generation by generation, we have drifted. Just like Israel in the book of Judges, we are now a people that does not know the Lord or what He has done. We’ve gone from dependence to self-reliance, and from humility to pride. We just celebrated independence from tyranny, but we are allowing ourselves to become slaves to sin. It’s not easy to say, but the reality is that if we don’t turn back and return to the One who made us strong, then we risk falling just like that tree.
I was listening to music today, and the app on my phone switched to landscape mode while I was changing songs, which it does often for some reason. And I instantly got irritated because the layout is difficult to navigate, and it takes extra effort to get back to where I wanted to go. When it happened today I started thinking, Who designed this? This UX is terrible! But then right after that, I had this moment of clarity. Wait...all I have to do is lock the orientation on my phone and the problem is solved. Duh!
And that got me thinking...how often do we do this with others or even God? We hit a frustrating moment and immediately start pointing fingers at others, at circumstances, and even at God. But so often, He’s already given us everything we need (the tools, the wisdom, the help), but we’re just not using them. I also started thinking about how much humility it takes to admit we don’t have all the answers. Sometimes we just need to slow down and ask ourselves if there’s something we’re not seeing. And it’s often in that place of honesty that the door opens for God to show us what we’ve been overlooking all along. Because God’s not trying to make things harder. If we ask Him for help or wisdom, He’s more than ready to give it. We just have to be willing to admit when we need help.
The other night was a perfect example of this and a great reminder for me of how God speaks in the most unexpected ways. I was feeling stuck on something I’d been thinking through, so I decided to pause and start praying, just asking God for clarity. And out of nowhere, I found myself humming Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas. It felt random at first, but I stopped and looked up the lyrics, and there was so much wisdom woven into that song. It helped me connect a few thoughts that had been circling in my mind for days. I’m always in awe of how creatively God reveals things. Isn’t He amazing? He knows exactly how to reach us when we simply slow down and take the time to listen.
When I was growing up, I went through a phase where I watched Pocahontas almost every day. I absolutely loved it. But then one day I accidentally put the VHS tape in the VCR backwards…and the tape got all tangled up and ruined. It completely stopped working. I was heartbroken! Praise God we don’t have to deal with VHS tapes anymore, because that was a really sad day for me (lol). As I was thinking back on it, I realized there’s actually a good life lesson in there. When we skip steps or try to rush ahead without doing things in the right order, things can get messy fast. It’s important to slow down and make sure we’re putting first things first. I recently listened to this interview with the Jonas brothers, and they shared some great wisdom regarding this.
Reflecting more, I started reminiscing about my time living in Muwekma-Tah-Ruk while at Stanford. The name means “House of the People,” and that phrase brought back a moment from about a year ago. I was talking with God, and He reminded me: You have to clean up your house before I can send you out to be used elsewhere. That was something I really needed to hear at the time, and it reminded me of the divine order to things. If we want to be effective out there, we have to first be faithful in here. It starts with our personal lives, including our hearts, our habits, our healing. Then it flows into our families, then the Church, then the nation, and only then can we begin to reach beyond. God is a God of order, and He works from the inside out. When we honor that, we become vessels He can truly use.
Many years ago, I had a brief internship at the Bureau of Indian Education, and I was recently reflecting on that experience. One thing I’ve always loved about their mission is how they make an effort to honor the whole person. They understand the importance of caring for the spiritual, mental, physical, and cultural aspects of the individual within the context of their family, tribe, or village. I’ve always appreciated that mindset that many Native communities carry. It’s a powerful and holistic approach that honors the complexity of who we are. I especially appreciate how they recognize the importance of family and community, and how deeply those relationships shape a person’s identity, well-being, and growth. It’s a reminder of how interconnected we are, and how true healing and growth happen when we take all those layers into account.
I was also reminded of the movie Dreamkeeper, which is a beautiful film that weaves together Native traditions and generational wisdom. There’s great wisdom in the way Native communities use storytelling. They don’t just use it to preserve history, but to heal, teach, and guide future generations. Native people have long known that healing often begins with remembering, and remembering begins with storytelling. And maybe part of restoring our nation is learning to listen again.
While not every Native story may align perfectly with biblical truth, I still believe there is value in listening to them. Many of these stories are layered with meaning and rooted in a sincere reverence for creation, community, and the unseen spiritual world. Even when the theology isn’t perfect, the heart behind the story often points to a desire for healing, restoration, and connection to something greater. And I believe that when we listen with discernment and humility, we can honor the beauty in the stories while finding glimpses of truth and opportunities for connection.
During my freshman year at Stanford, I went to the Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz for what many still call Columbus Day with the rest of the Native community. It was a really beautiful and meaningful experience. I remember us all sitting in a circle before the sun came up, surrounded by the sound of drums, prayers, and singing. It felt very peaceful and powerful all at once.
Thinking back on it, I was reminded of the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz, when Native people from different tribes came together to reclaim the island after the prison closed. I’ve recently been reflecting on how Native communities have always understood that the land is sacred, that it holds memory, meaning, and deep spiritual connection. I’ve always admired the deep respect they have for the land, and the longing they have to protect and preserve what’s been entrusted to them. I think that’s something we can all learn from. The Bible teaches us that the earth belongs to the Lord, and we’ve been entrusted to steward it wisely and respectfully, just like any other gift from Him.
Creation was never meant to be worshipped, but that doesn’t mean it’s without spiritual significance. God cares for all His creation. The Bible is full of moments where God speaks through nature (through wind, water, mountains, and even animals). Nature is one of the ways He reveals His glory and presence. And it’s a living, breathing reminder of God’s creativity and power.
But just as creation reveals God's beauty, it also bears the weight of our brokenness. Romans 8:22 says that all of creation is groaning, longing to be set free from the curse of sin. Because when injustice and violence fill the earth, the land feels it and remembers. Abel’s blood crying out from the ground is an example and a clear sign that sin stains more than just the soul. It scars creation, too.
When we sow injustice, violence, and idolatry, the earth suffers with us. But praise God, because He promises that if we humble ourselves, seek His face, and turn from our ways, He will heal our land. So spiritually and physically, we reap what we sow. And when we neglect justice, pollute the earth, or harden our hearts, there are consequences.
“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 heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14
God also reminded me of the Trail of Tears, along with the heartbreak, injustice, and lives lost during that journey. And I really believe we have to acknowledge that kind of trauma, bring it before God, and ask Him to cleanse and heal the land. Only the blood of Jesus can truly cover the bloodshed and tears that were spilled. But we need to humble ourselves, repent, and ask the Lord to make things right. President Obama brought up some really good points in this speech, and I also appreciated some of the ideas President Trump mentioned here.
It makes me wonder...what other wounds are still buried in our nation’s story, waiting to be brought into the light so healing can begin? What about the generational trauma carried by African American communities from slavery and segregation? Or the pain of Japanese Americans who were placed in internment camps? Or the lasting scars of immigrant families who were separated and dehumanized? What stories have been silenced for too long? And what would our nation look like if we choose to become people willing to tear off the roof and find healing in His presence?
How do we honor the wounds of the past without allowing them to define our future? What does it look like to remember rightly — not to stay stuck in sorrow, but to let it fuel restoration? And then, what would it look like for us to stop living from a place of pain and start rising in the identity of overcomers?
This got me thinking more deeply about the founding of our country. When the colonists broke away from Britain, they did so with wisdom and good intentions. But what they may not have realized, perhaps simply out of a lack of spiritual understanding, is that they were stepping into a battle far greater than politics or independence. It was a spiritual battle. In many ways, they cut the weed without pulling up the root. And in doing so, they carried over the spiritual strongholds of the British Empire into the new land.
For a time it brought a sense of freedom, but the root remained. And over generations, those same cycles of sin and oppression have taken hold again, growing stronger and more out of control. The only real solution is to go back and deal with the root.
Some of the strongholds that took root early in our nation’s story include things like religious pride, greed, racism, and the pursuit of power. These aren't just political or cultural issues. These are spiritual strongholds that have shaped systems and wounded generations. Sadly, even the church has at times been complicit by turning a blind eye to injustice, drifting toward worldly power instead of standing firm in God’s truth, and trading conviction for comfort and control. Rather than being a voice of repentance and healing, parts of the church have helped reinforce the very chains Jesus came to break. And I believe it’s time for us to put our minds together to recognize these patterns, humble ourselves, and return to the heart of Christ. (Please listen to the first few minutes of Troy’s video here. It’s really important for us all to understand and share.)
What if we rebuilt America on a firm foundation with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone? How do we break the demonic strongholds that still hold America captive? How do we rebuild the altars that once honored God in our homes, churches, and nation? What might America look like if we restored the land to the spiritual atmosphere that existed when Native people lived in harmony with it? What if the American dream needs to be reimagined? Have we settled for something far less than what God intended?
The early American framework was deeply shaped by biblical principles, even though it did not require all citizens to be Christian. So similarly, we don’t need to force people to believe in Jesus, but I believe we should build the house on His teachings. This isn’t about enforcing religion or creating a theocracy. It’s about choosing the best foundation for a flourishing society, and I believe that’s found in the teachings of Jesus. Everyone is welcome, but Jesus should be the foundation. And we should encourage all to live the Jesus way.
One of the beautiful things about America is that it’s made up of people from all over the world. But with that beauty comes a spiritual responsibility. As people from many nations come together, we must ask deeper questions about how to steward that diversity with wisdom. How can we honor and welcome people from other nations while remaining spiritually alert to the unseen influences they may bring? How do we preserve the spiritual foundations of a nation while still extending compassion and refuge?
These questions matter because the spiritual atmosphere of a nation is shaped not only by policy and culture, but by the unseen influences that come with every generation and migration. What happens to a nation’s identity when it no longer guards its spiritual gates? And what can we learn from Jesus, who welcomed people from beyond Israel’s borders, yet always invited them into truth and transformation?
More important than a physical border is a wall of holy fire surrounding our nation. We need a spiritual covering that comes not from politics or policies, but from the presence of God. A consuming fire that destroys any evil that tries to enter, purifying what’s within and protecting what’s been entrusted to us. And the best part is, it doesn’t cost any money. It only costs our pride, our comfort, and our time — poured out through worship, fasting, and prayer. Because when we seek Him first, He becomes our defense.
I then started to think about the global impact of all this. How many nations were shaped by the influence of the British Empire and the spiritual strongholds it carried? How did those strongholds take root in the first place? How far back do we need to go to truly uproot them? Could it trace all the way back to the moment humanity rejected Jesus as the risen King of kings? I don’t have all the answers. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are so many more questions to explore. But I believe this is something we’re meant to seek God about together and it will require us to look through heaven’s eyes. (As I was praying through all of this, I sensed God nudging us to reach out to Charlie Kirk. I believe he could offer some meaningful perspective.)
This spiritual battle is one many are overlooking or ignoring. The Bible reminds us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities, against spiritual forces of darkness. The real enemy isn’t each other. It’s the unseen forces working behind the scenes, influencing hearts and shaping systems in ways many can’t even recognize. If we forget that, we end up fighting the wrong battles and wounding the very people we’re called to love.
I know this all may seem impossible from where we stand, but when you believe, nothing is too hard for God. The giants may be big, but our God is greater. And with faith and hard work, I think we’ll all be amazed at what we can accomplish together. Watching this also reminded me that if God has placed certain gifts inside of us, then we’re meant to use them for His glory. That’s why now is the time to seek God like never before.
I’m praying God pours out His mercy on us all, especially the outcasts (the ones who have been overlooked or left behind). Because the breakthrough that’s coming isn’t just for a few. It’s for everyone. I encourage all of us to seek God first and surround ourselves with people who speak wisdom and truth. When we do, the answers will come, and so will the breakthrough.
God reminded me that healing is a process, and it doesn’t always happen immediately. There is no need to try to rush it. It’s important to be patient with ourselves, with others, and with the journey. And above all, don’t stop praying. Even when we can’t see it, God is working beneath the surface. The God who stays is always with us, and will never fail us.
In many ways, we need to go back to the start in our own hearts, but also as a nation. Because healing starts when we return to where we first lost our way (back to the moment things got off course). And if I’m honest, I’ve had plenty of those moments myself. I’m just a nobody, and if it was up to me, I would’ve given up and been disqualified a long time ago. But praise God! I’m still here, and it’s all because of mercy.
And that same mercy is available to anyone willing to reach for it. We’re not meant to do this alone. We must rise together, lifting each other up. I’ve fallen short countless times, but then came Christ, stepping in with grace I didn’t deserve. So when it gets hard, He’ll meet us again (and again) with mercy and grace that never runs dry.
God wanted me to remind you: this battle belongs to Him. Just like when Joshua led the people of Israel, the victory won’t come through human strength, but through prayer and fasting, as well as praise and worship. That’s how the walls fall. God is the Lion of Judah. He is strong, steady, and full of power. He fights for His people and leads with a fierce, unfailing love. And our awesome God, who never fails to deliver, is going before us even now.
But we’re going to have to work together if we want to help rescue each other. That’s how we’ll make it through. Even when it feels like we’re caught between two worlds, don’t lose heart. It’s in the friction of that tension that God sparks the fire and forges warriors. And it’s where love gets fierce, faith gets real, and purpose starts to rise.
While driving today, I was listening to the Tarzan soundtrack (because let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good Tarzan song?). As I was singing along to Strangers Like Me, I couldn’t help but think about how much it captures that longing we all have to understand, connect, and learn from one another. It made me think about how healing often starts when we slow down enough to really listen to someone’s story. There’s something so powerful about approaching people with curiosity instead of judgment. And honestly, I think that’s the kind of heart that could change a lot more than we realize.
Son of man, it’s time to rise up and burn the ships. He will be with us through the night. Remember, we’re all in this together — so fight on, fighter. And don’t worry, loves got a way. No matter where you are, I got you. I’m praying for you and will be with you in spirit. Brighter days are coming. Please stay safe and listen with your heart. God is guiding you every step of the way.
I love you forever and a day.
Jeanie
P.S. My mom couldn’t find a picture of the statue with the eyes, but she found one of a different statue with ravens. It seems significant in some way...I don’t know what’s going to happen, but something I found interesting is that ravens have few predators, and eagles are one of them. Be prepared for anything. It’s time to fly like an eagle. And remember, we are safest when we fly high and above the snakeline. Have faith and let God deal with the snakes in His time. His judgment is more powerful than anything we could ever imagine. Please don’t leave me in the lion’s den alone.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6