What a crazy time that we currently occupy on the timeline of human existence. Even though we are not faced with the hopelessness of the Dark Ages, or the survivalist challenges of our most distant ancestors, nevertheless we are filled with numerous challenges, unique to our age, that threaten our abilities to live a life that is not plagued with fear.
Just one of the many pressures that we are facing is a once-in-a-century disease that has ravaged the world and divides culture as no event perhaps in history has ever accomplished. It has sown the seeds of discord and distrust in people of all ages and that is the recipe for a fall of our civilization. If we can no longer trust our leaders, than our own efforts will turn from obedience to rebellion, with the moral certainty that we are left with no other choice than to wrest power away from those who would lead us astray.
As I write these words war rages in Europe at a level we have not witnessed since World War II. An entire nation has been forced to defend themselves against a much better equipped enemy, without direct intervention by all the other nations on the planet. They are being given arms, and money, and humanitarian aid, mostly through indirect channels, but their enemy is fighting on a scale of barbaric levels that leaves no innocent safe. We are witnessing the demolition of an entire country, and all of the people who make up that nation. Just recently the threat of nuclear war has been raised and perhaps is more likely than any other time in history. You have a crazed dictator, forced into a corner by all but a handful of nations, facing economic restrictions designed to cripple his nation, and because of these pressures, choices that would have been in the past unthinkable, suddenly appear to be prudent.
In our own nation, the foundations of our country, our belief in the one true God, has been diminished by decades of attacks by the media, educational leaders, the failure of the church to combat this influence, the demolition of the family unit, the growing economic pressures that most of us face on a daily basis, rising distrust of all authority figures such as the police, and leaders of faith, combined with the polarization of our political leaders, from our local governments all the way to the White House. We are watching our health care system devolve into an institution that can only be afforded by the elite, and no longer led by local medical communities, but forced to adhere to the regulations of the federal government. Shelves are bare, people are refusing to work, customer service is becoming a things of the past, as we add these pressures to each of our daily lives. And finally, few of us agree on even the basics of how to best govern our nation, as we shout over each other, finding ourselves living our lives of isolation from community, friends and families.
What are we to do?
Over two thousand years ago, the Jewish people were under the authority of their conquerors, the Roman Empire. This empire was not known for its humanity, and delegated power to local leaders who promised to keep the local population in check, using whatever means necessary. Economic conditions were dire, taxes were high, jobs were rare, and there seemed to be no end to the misery caused by the Romans and their delegated leadership.
Yet, into such a time was born the Son of God. His mission was not to rule an earthly kingdom, but an eternal Kingdom. He came to save all, not just the Jews, but the Romans as well. His life was noticeable not just for His teachings and lifestyle, but because of His claim that He was God. He walked among the poor, the downtrodden, healing the sick, giving hope to many, but also dashing the dreams of most. Where the Jewish people longed for a hero, a king, that would rescue them from their captors, Jesus laid claim to a throne of hearts that would rule the world, transformed by one life at a time. Hope looked different than what the majority of the Jewish people had envisioned, and because of this belief, many missed the life-changing message of Jesus Christ altogether. The people, in their quest for comfort, for security, for power, and freedom from their earthly captors, allowed their eternal captor to retain his hold over the earthly and eternal destinies. The Truth was ignored in the din of the noise of the day.
We run the same risk today.
In our desire for peace, and comfort, and healing, and power, we can easily miss the free gift that Jesus still offers to each one of us today. His offer is still the same, in 2022 as it was over two thousand years ago. But we have to rise above the avalanche of noise and seek the words from the One who created each of us. He promises us that we will find Him when we truly seek Him. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)
He became a man to become The Man, tempted just like we are, but perfect in every way. (Click HERE to learn more.)
He died so that we could be forgiven.
He rose again so that we no longer have to fear death.
He has sent the Holy Spirit to give us peace, guidance, power, and comfort, in these tumultuous times.
He has given us His Word, so that we can learn more about Him, His great love for each of us, and what the future holds for all of us.
He offers us freedom, peace, meaning, and purpose beyond anything we can ever find in this world.
He rose again so that we no longer have to live our lives in fear, but secure in the knowledge that He controls every aspect of our lives, and will work all things to our good if we love and obey Him.
He offers wisdom and truth in a world that finds itself devoid of both.
He offers healing to our bodies, our minds, our hearts and our souls.
His name is Jesus Christ, and He wants to be the Savior of your life as well.
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." (Revelation 3:20)
