As we survey our rotting cultural and political landscape, it is tempting, from a worldly perspective, to lose hope for our way of life and our nation. As Christians, we have a greater Hope, one that transcends these worldly problems.

We must always train our focus on Jesus Christ, especially during this holiest of weeks, but let's not in the meantime abandon our earthly duties – our responsibilities to family, friends, country and values.

While we must guard against making politics and patriotism our idols, we don't have to accept the notion that worshiping God requires neglecting what is true, great and good in our earthly lives. A spiritual war is raging before our eyes, and we must suit up against it – unless our lives on this side of eternity are utterly pointless. I'll never believe God placed us on Earth to be indifferent to life here, to surrender the reins to forces of evil because a better world awaits us. Our Founding Fathers certainly didn't believe that either.