California has some of the most beautiful scenery in the nation. One can enjoy snow-capped mountains, refreshing lakes, rugged deserts, lush forests, the powerful Pacific Ocean, majestic cities, or rural farmland. In Riverside County alone, one can find most of these things (not the ocean, though!).
From a Christian point of view, California has much to offer. This surprises people in other states who want to believe the untrue stereotypes that come out of Hollywood. But the major Christian revivals in the 20th century began in California (most recently the Jesus Movement). There are churches everywhere in many cities. There are Bible colleges and seminaries. There are thriving Christian ministries.
The California I grew up in was like Leave it to Beaver in many ways (thirty years after this iconic show, of course). Kids rode bikes around the neighborhood together. All the neighbors were friends. Moms went to each other's Tupperware parties and traded coupons. Birthdays were big affairs on our street. Everyone was invited. One family on our block planted a garden and had all of us neighbor kids come help. We used to "pan for gold" when we'd have bad flooding and get a "river" going through our street. My dad often supervised this gold panning. We also used to look for arrowheads. Our family had a playground in the backyard, and all the neighbor kids wanted to come over all the time and play on it. In our neighborhood, everyone had to go home when the streetlights turned on. That was every family's universal rule. So no need to wear watches!
I grew up at a small church with a private Christian home school group. We were all very close as well, and saw each other about four days a week (for those who claim homeschoolers don't get to socialize). I grew up going to AWANA, Bible camp, and (as I got older) evangelism trips around Riverside County. From the time I was in third grade, my mother taught a weekly Bible club in our garage, and all the neighbor kids came (sometimes as many as thirty kids all crowded into the garage). It only snowed once in my childhood. I was nine, and I screamed at the top of my lungs, because I had thought snow was something they made up for movies--I had no idea it was a real thing! Even then, it was just flurries. This is the California I grew up in.
As wonderful and idyllic as it was, we all still believed that California wasn't as "wholesome" as other states. There's this crazy lie that everyone (even Californians) believe. It says that the worst of the worst stereotypes about California are true, and that other states are godly and conservative. Nobody has to lock their doors. The milkman comes and leaves a bottle of milk on the doorstep every day. Everyone is honest. Everyone goes to church. Everyone tithes. I grew up believing this was true.
At the age of 18, I went to Missouri (until this point, the only state I had been to was Arizona). I was in for the culture shock of my life. I was surrounded by young people from all over, but mostly the Midwest. I was shocked by the bad language and worse conduct of these students. They were worldly, and many were mean. There were kind ones too. But it certainly wasn't the haven I had been led to believe. After that very hard summer was over, I returned to my loving church in California. The stereotypes of both California and of the other states were shattered. I started to see the truth. Everywhere has it's good and it's bad. There are believers everywhere, and true believers have a special love for each other, regardless of what state or country they're from.
Somewhere since the 21st century started, California ceased to be the Manifest Destiny state it had been for over 150 years. People are leaving faster than entering. Laws are harsh. Costs are high. There is overall discontent. There is corruption in Sacramento. Special interest groups are given privilege that harms the public interest. Some of the new bills being pushed would hinder believers from effectively ministering biblically. This breaks my heart.
So many people--mostly Christians--get into this kind of happy yet negative downward spiral about California. This breaks my heart even worse. The Bible never condones complaining (it cost the Israelites dearly!). Philippians 2:14 says "Do all things without grumbling and disputing." Do these problems going on in California need to be discussed? Yes. Do people have decisions to make? Yes. Are these decisions hard? Absolutely. It's okay to feel angry about the things that are wrong in the state.. But it hurts me deeply when I read on Facebook or hear people just putting down California, as if it's no good and never has been any good. Many seem to enjoy this. Instead of looking at the many, many many faithful believers in California, they choose to look at what's wrong. I believe this is the wrong approach.
First, I need to say that, as a Californian who has been in the Midwest two years, California has a very strong, deep Christian community. The believers in California do NOT deserve the blame for what is wrong. As a Californian Christian, I refused to accept that blame. Most believers I know in California are faithful to vote and get involved. California is the only state that--not once, but twice--voted to keep marriage between one man and one woman (in 2000 and again in 2008). More importantly, Californian believers are faithful to the Lord, speaking the truth in love. They are quicker than believers in many other states to recognize threats to liberty, and quickly get involved in standing for what is right and stopping the threats from becoming a reality. Believers in California deserve respect, not contempt. They are fighting battles others can't even imagine.
Secondly, California needs prayer. Second Chronicles 7:14 says that if "my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." I recently was encouraged to hear Vice-President Mike Pence sharing this verse. I joyfully apply it, not just to the United States, but to the state of California. I believe prayer, not contempt, is the answer for us as believers. Recently, so many of my friends were distraught on Facebook about some of the things going on. Some were frantic, others hostile. My husband and I were concerned by all of this. The issues at hand are disconcerting. But does panic solve anything? No. Does hostility? No. So, from noon yesterday to noon today, we (and several of our Californian Christian friends) fasted and prayed for California. We prayed for the state. We prayed for Governor Jerry Brown (since the Bible says to pray for our leaders). We prayed for the state legislature. We prayed for the bills being proposed. Then we prayed for Christians and churches in all 58 counties in California. I know many believers and churches in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties...but fewer in others, and none in several. That's what the Internet is great for! I was able to find Bible-preaching churches in all 58 counties to pray for. These believers are doing wonderful things for the Kingdom of God. There is so much faithfulness. God is clearly at work. Why can't that be our focus when we think about California, instead of the corruption? I have great joy in what God is doing through His people in my home state.
There was a time when I looked down on people who moved out of California (even my own parents, who retired to Idaho two years before my husband and I moved to South Dakota). I thought that was giving up the battle. But, having left myself, I can see more objectively. People need to do what God is calling them to do. Walter and I left, not because we give up on California, but because God has led us this way. That's the whole reason for us. And sometimes, God has something else in store for someone. If every Christian left California, that would be the end of it all. But that isn't happening. Some are called to stay, others to go. And we should respect everyone's decision in this. We are responsible for obeying the Lord. I am not responsible for the state of California. God is. It's in His hands. He has His believers strategically placed all over this country and world. I will close with some scenic California pictures--to show you how I see California. Ten points for each picture that you can identify the location!!!😉
