Its knees, I hope. As I read and watch the news, I’m bombarded by images of a nation that seems to be careening rapidly out of control. Our president is on course to bankrupt the country, his acolytes seem eager to make alliances with our enemies, and story after story of mindlessly random violence blankets the news.
But God is in control of all. The apostle Peter, writing nearly 2000 years ago, said,
The end of all things is near. [That kills me - way back then he was talking about the end times as a soon-coming event. That's absolutely how we should live.] Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11, NIV)
Amen, indeed. In the face of all this turmoil, our task as followers of Christ is to a) panic; b) buy ammo; c) tell our neighbors they’re going to hell cuz they’re not saved; or, d) love each other and treat each other with kindness and humility. Wow. If my view of our culture was not colored by my belief that God is in control, I’d probably be much more of a basket case than I am.
The key seems to be this:
- In the face of a crumbling economy, trust God
- In the face of violent crime, love your neighbor
- In the face of a crumbling social structure, serve others
- In the face of a world disdainful of the things of God, be a minister of God’s grace
My biggest sorrow is that I lose the focus. I see the events and not the God who is over all. Pray for your neighbors and your nation, but above all, pray to be used by God.
