Believe it or not, Senate bill 200 was signed into law at the end of May by the governor of Colorado. In the name of civil-rights protections for homosexuals, our rights as citizens were removed. If you are a man who might think you're a woman (or even dress up like one) you can use the women's restroom! In one of the most beautiful states in the U.S., we are faced with the ugly reality that women, girls, and young children can be joined in public bathrooms by perverts. In a state known for its high altitudes, we have sunk to new lows. And in a state known for its hundreds of Christian ministries, we have been bombarded by liberal efforts to unseat Christian values in our state.

I worked for Focus on the Family for many years and proudly joined their tireless efforts to preserve both Christian values and the family. But in the more than 14 years I have lived in Colorado, I have never seen such discouragement among Christians as we witness the forces of evil take over. The same discouragement could recently be found by Californians when unelected activist judges overturned the will of more than 60 percent of voters and legalized same-sex marriage.

Discouragement is not confined to Colorado or California, however. I read recently that a black woman lost her job for saying homosexuality is not comparable to the civil rights movement, a Christian photography business was heavily fined for refusing to photograph a homosexual marriage, and Catholic Charities in Massachusetts were forced to stop arranging adoptions because they would not place children in gay households.

Yes, discouragement among Christians is definitely on the rise, so much so, that many have retreated deciding that there is nothing we can do to change things. Of our two choices for president, Obama promises, among other things, to put more liberal justices on the Supreme Court and to support all aspects of abortion and gay marriage. McCain is better, but fails to meet all the standards that we as conservative Christians uphold. As a result, countless believers have decided to sit this election out.

But in this time of uncertainty, at least three truths still stand:
God is not wringing His hands trying to decide what to do;
Satan (and the people he controls) has not won;
and God's people need to become part of the solution.

In Isaiah 6:8 we read, "I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?'
Then I [Isaiah] said, 'Here am I! Send me.' "

Isaiah lived at one of the most crucial times in the history of Judah and Israel. Israel (the northern kingdom) had witnessed seven evil kings lead Israel into pagan worship. Judah (the southern kingdom), under Uzziah, Jotham, and Hezekiah had maintained an outward godliness but had gradually fallen into serious moral and spiritual decline (Is. 3:8-36). No doubt, discouragement abounded, but right in the middle of all the bad news, Isaiah recognized that God was still in charge and that He used His people to accomplish His work. Isaiah heard God's call for men and women to step to the plate, and then Isaiah responded. The results? Isaiah's contribution not only help guide the people then, but his work still inform us today. Christians look to his writings for instruction. No Old Testament book, with the possible exception of the Psalms, speaks more powerfully and appropriately to modern-day believers.

Does that sound like God was clueless about what to do? Does that sound like evil had won? Does that sound like godly people can't make a difference? No, no, and no.

"Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" Turn from your discouragement today and hear God's voice as Isaiah did, and then respond, "Here I am, send me." Pray, "God, thank You that You are in control. Use me, Lord, to make a difference in this time and place."

Then listen to what He says to you, how He leads you, what He tells you to do. Collectively, God's people will be a force to be reckoned with and will turn the tide. It's not time to be discouraged but to be encouraged as we remember that we're on the winning team.

"Here I am, send me." That's all it will take to make the difference.