Out of Control

By -

It's extremely troubling, concerning and unsettling the things we see, hear and read that is taking place in our country today. I think that's putting things very mildly. Of course, there is always two sides to the story and it's imperative to take what we read, see and hear on the news and internet with discernment. However, there's enough evidence for us to all agree we are facing very challenging times on several fronts and at times, every thing feels and appears totally out of control. The hate, anger and quite frankly the rage is very real and very apparent and very alarming. In some instances, there seems to be pure disdain for anything decent or civil with lawlessness gone wild. And if I'm not careful, I can easily find myself caught up in all the madness. The chaos and unrest leaves me at times feeling out of control, tense and wound up.  

It's apparent our society is hurting. We've been hurting and fractured for a very long time - long before COVID-19 ever presented itself. Many have been able to keep the raging storm at bay by numbing, medicating, masking and distracting ourselves until we finally see now that all of our vices no longer can hold back, mitigate or buffer what's been brewing and stewing for quite some time. It's time to bring things to the light. It's time to finally address the brokenness and seek transformation and not just band-aid fixes or "better" coping mechanisms that only masks and not truly moves people towards soul healing and help. And yet I'm still hopeful but painfully so, the reality is also this, it's going to get painfully and brutally ugly and messier before it gets better. But again, I have hope things will get better. We all need to get back to working on us and being a better "me."  

I do have hope that the unrest and strife will relent, and we will be civil and compassionate with one another once again. Although so much feels out of control, God is very much still in control. That which needs to be exposed is being exposed, not for shame or blame but for truth and healing. Things are being shaken, pruned, cut off and burned away to reveal and unearth what we truly value so that we can come back not only stronger and better but healthier, or at least on a clearer path towards health. While I know all of this may sound very "christianese," cliche, overly simplistic, wishful thinking, so I ask in return, if not taking a hopeful stance, what is the alternative? There is no other alternative. This is not wishful thinking or talk because I have a God who can back it up. So I choose to believe that God is in control and he sits on the throne. While I believe God respects our freewill, he is a just and merciful God and there will come a time when he will bring forth justice, honor and reverence once again. I believe this for my lifetime and that of my children. 

God is continually calling out and raising up his people to stand. He is preparing us to go out and share the love of Jesus and administer his healing touch to a hurting world. He's rallying up sons and daughters to live fearlessly for him. So regardless of the facts and the reality of the current state of affairs, I choose hope. I choose to trust God, to turn towards Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to embolden me to stand and move in faith. 

So friend, let's continually choose hope. And as I hope, I will hide myself in the shelter of his wing and stay in the safety of his presence. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Surprise

By -
Surprise! I am not a fan of surprises. Absolutely no. Clarification. I am not a fan of surprises that are not good. In other words, I only like favorable, wanted, and pleasant surprises that work for me. Otherwise, I'll pass. No thanks. I'm not too fond of the feeling of being unprepared. I like to predict and curate how I respond. I don't want to be caught off guard. Yes, I have control issues. But as I dig deeper, I think my "need" to control stems from fear. I don't like unpredictable circumstances. I don't do well with awkwardness. And I don't particularly navigate uncomfortable situations with grace or poise.  However, I'm learning life is one big surprise! So if I want the good from the unexpected, I must also be willing to accept and embrace everything in between.  In my quest to insulate myself from discomfort or pain, and avoidance of situations or taking risks that could possibly subject myself to hard things, could I possibly be disadvan...
Read more

The Light

By -
Over the last two weeks, the word "light" was mentioned three times by three different people, and each time, I was in the headspace of thinking of our pending transition. It's not a word that is typically used or expected, in my opinion, especially in light of the context. The word choice and frequency were significant enough to catch my attention each time. So naturally, I'm inquiring and asking the Lord, what does it mean to me and my situation?  I'm still musing over it. But for now, it's given me encouragement, confidence, and enough strength to keep moving forward in faith and trust - especially in the face of the uncertainty, the mystery, and tasks to get us from "here to there."  As I type this, it's taking one day and one step at a time - towards the light. So while I do not know all of the steps and how they will all ultimately work out, I can have peace and assurance in the steps I am taking.  For me, "follow the light, keep walki...
Read more

Moving Forward

By -
Moving forward is a choice. For those who have decided to follow Jesus, there is no other viable option. We must keep moving forward in Him and in faith.  We have been given everything we need for godly living and to run our race. We have direct access to grace and resurrection power because greater is He who lives in us than he who is in the world. It might be a fight, an uphill battle, but if we would not fail or falter but keep pressing forward, we'll see the victory in Jesus. Fear is a liar. Don't let the angst of uncertainty or the obstacles you see deter or discourage you. Dig deep, and stay in the game!  How do we run our race with endurance, longevity, and fruitfulness?  We run after the Father with hearts of surrender, open hands, and no ulterior motive or agenda of our own but to obey and be about the Father's business. Our obedience is not rooted in fear, obligation, or some pro-quid tactic.  It's rooted in love, gratitude, and adoration towards a loving a...
Read more