I wonder
I wonder: If thousands of North Americans, including women and children, formed a caravan, broke through an armed border guard, and walked across Mexico to Guatemala, turning down offers of sanctuary and expecting to be admitted into Guatemala, how would the news report it?
How would other nations see the action?
Would they describe the caravan as just a group of people seeking a better, safer life, or Yankee Imperialism?
Well those are silly questions, right?
Silly is the world today though – silly and mean. And sanctimonious too.
I include myself as probably being seen as ridiculous, small-minded, and smug too, by those with opposing views.
The elephant is still in the living room: Everything is upside down and backwards – so much anger, revenge, mean spiritedness; and careless speech.
How can a mid-term election right what is wrong?
The other day I was part of a small group who prayed through 1 Peter 2:11-25, line by line. Applying the words to ourselves, we asked, how are we supposed to be living now?
Answer: A lot more carefully than are.
When I read through Peter’s pleas – his commands – I was ashamed. I am also anxious, confused, lonely, and angry. So were the people to whom Peter wrote. And so are many of the people with whom I disagree.
Life is hard, and it hurts.
At the end of the day it isn’t a political party or candidates that can make sense of how we live. Electing the right person, or being on the right side of an issue is no comfort when death knocks on our door.
We understand death for the first time when he puts his hand upon one whom we love. ~Madame de Staël
Dreams dying, or death knocking — I don’t know how to steady myself, much less persuade anyone else to look to God for answers. God says He has me, and He will do the persuading. ( Isaiah 41:13; Jeremiah 31:3)
I wonder then, if Peter’s words are the outworking of a favorite verse from Isaiah:
And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure. (Isaiah 33:6)
If Christ is my stability, then Peter says walk and talk like it. Quit wobbling and arguing.
Be more afraid of a holy God than I am of today’s crazy world.
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21)
God I believe, help thou my unbelief.
Please teach me to honor those in authority, and obey You.
Give me, please, something worthwhile to do today, and keep my honest and kind while doing it.
Advice Worth Taking