Foreign Correspondent
Burning cross, Author Zachry Industrial (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
The WWII drama “Foreign Correspondent” (1940) concludes with a riveting radio broadcast from London by Joel McCrea as reporter, Johnny Jones. The broadcast is interrupted by bombing.
“I can’t read the rest of the speech I had because the lights have gone out. So I’ll just have to talk off the cuff. All that noise you hear isn’t static. It’s death coming to London. Yes, they’re coming here now. You can hear the bombs falling on the streets and the homes.
Don’t tune me out. Hang on awhile. This is a big story, and you’re part of it. It’s too late to do anything here now except stand in the dark and let them come. It’s as if the lights were all out everywhere except in America.
Keep those lights burning. Cover them with steel. Ring them with guns. Build a canopy of battleships and bombing planes around them. Hello, America. Hang onto your lights. They’re the only lights left in the world.”
There was never a Golden Age. But America was once a bastion of hope and freedom for the world. We have chosen to cede that position to others in recent years.
Today, the noise we hear from every quarter is a cacophony of angry voices; a confusing mix of commercials, celebrity gossip, and conspiracy theories – propaganda from both the right and left, leavened with lavish promises and dire predictions by politicians of every stripe.
Self-interest and financial gain have taken precedence over love of God and country. Accusations and recriminations substitute for leadership.
That noise is no less deadly than the bombs which rained down on London during an earlier battle between good and evil. It obscures the truth, rather than enlightening us. As a result, chaos is rapidly gaining ground. Johnny Jones would be appalled.
” ‘You are the light of the world‘ ” (Matt. 5: 14).
The Greatest Generation bravely fought tyrants with bombs and guns. Those will not work for us. Our battleground is the mind.
How then are Christians to respond to all this? Do we advocate for political parties that demonize one another while defending positions we abhor? Enlist in secret societies? Take up arms and join the violence in our streets? Do we instead bury our heads in the sand?
None of those options accord with our faith. The lights may be going out. The forces of evil may be gathering strength. But Christians remain the light of the world. And God remains in control.
So we muster our courage. We put on the armor of God, stand in the dark, and let them come.
France has suffered another Islamic terrorist attack. Three people were stabbed to death at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Nice. Please, pray for the families of the victims and for the world.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse https://avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
God is in control, friend.🤠🔥
That is where I find my consolation. 🙂
The question “How then shall we live?” is often on my mind Anna. To know and be like Jesus and rub off on others (sometimes aggressively) in this way with whatever gifts we may have in our our own little corner of the world is about the best practical (do it today and everyday) answer I have been able to come up with..
I agree, Gary. We often long to be influential. But each of us has a sphere of influence, no matter how small. Mother Teresa said, “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things w/ great love.”
Agreed, Gary and Anna! ‘I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.’ Helen Keller, 1880-1968. I keep this quote on my computer stand where I can see it regularly.
“…still I can do something.” That is exactly the inspiration we need.
Indeed, Anna, darkness cannot be fought with darkness. We must “put on the armour of Light” (Romans 13:12).
Thank you, Allan.
What a chilling scene. Yes, it is true that if America isn’t shining the light, what other nation will? We (the Church) need to take seriously that responsibility to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) and stop entangling ourselves with minor, worldly affairs. (II Timothy 2:4)
P.S. I just found “Foreign Correspondent” on Amazon Prime, and my husband and I will watch it soon. It’s directed by Alfred Hitchcock, so I am even more convinced it’s going to be great. Thanks for making me aware of that film.
I’m an inveterate fan of classic movies, if you haven’t guessed. Hope you enjoy the film.
With great respect, there are many other countries and people groups around the world that are called to shine the light also. E.g. at times the Church in China has far outshone the Church in the West. God is sovereign, isn’t he?
I do not disagree, Erroll.
The Church (everywhere) is called to shine the light. Often it seems believers are strongest and shine the brightest in places where persecution is harshest. American believers have had it so easy with all the freedoms we’ve enjoyed, and frankly a lot of us have been asleep at the wheel. If America (as a nation) goes “dark,” that certainly won’t be the end of the Church here. It may, in fact, be a new beginning. I hope that isn’t necessary, though. God help us.
Very insightful, Ann.
These are definitely dark days, Anna. God is still in control. I am constantly reminding myself of this.
Thank you for your encouragement, my friend.
I keep needing to remind myself to breathe… and PRAY!
Prayer is what keeps me going. Funny thing, I never used to be a pessimist.
Great article Anna! You asked some very important questions and you are right, we put on the full armor of God and we pray for all of our leaders as God directs us and then we stand in peace. There are so many things to pray for and about in these last four years, all the heartbreak. I am so grateful that God is always with me and I know you are too my dear friend. Love to you and we will continue to faithfully pray as you said – it is a beacon of light. Love and hugs my friend. Joni
Thank you, Joni. It is a great consolation to know that I am not alone in deploring these trends. Sadly, they have been gaining ground for a long time now. We will suffer the consequences of the choices we make as a society. I hope and pray that we may yet turn our eyes to God. Like you, I turn to Him for guidance and protection. I am reminded of Nehemiah’s prayer (Neh. 1: 4-11). May we, too, acknowledge our sins, and choose a different direction for the nation. Love, A.
That is a great scripture Anna. Sometimes I think of God and His unmeasurable love for us sinners and I wonder how He who has given so much must think at the horrors we see and here. You are so good to bring people the truth with the knowledge of salvation. What a blessing you are doing my dear Anna. Love ❤️ Joni
You give me too much credit, dear friend. But I agree w/ you as to God’s goodness and mercy. Love, A. ❤
I don’t think so my
friend. You are a vessel which God uses to educate people to unknown atrocities and also to spread God’s loving heart. Love ❤️ J
Thank you, Joni. ❤
My pleasure entirely, dearest Anna. ❤️😘
G’day and thank for sharing Anna.
It can feel kind of bleak at times that’s for sure. After reading your post a story I heard about Dietrich Bonhoeffer came to mind. His response to the Nazi’s was to encourage those in the church by starting a school that kept in secret. That’s the gist but it makes me think how much we need Christians today to use their gifts and for the church to be encouraged to keep going.
Keep connected to the Vine!
Thank for the encouragement and the good advice. God bless you.