In the throes of an often stormy world, the question arises: How do we remain bastions of love and truth amidst the hurt and the rage? The answer lies in subtle rebellion, not in arms or anger, but in relentless goodness. Our fight should not be one that incites destruction, rather, one that fosters understanding, kindness, and unity, overruling the prevailing culture with benevolence.
The mandate is clear – love your neighbor. An intrinsic principle that serves the collective good, spanning all races, genders, political perspectives, and citizenship statuses. A universal mandate, even extending to those we might perceive as adversaries.
Persist in your acts of goodness (Gal 6:9). Don’t let fear dampen your spirit. Don’t lose faith. The world may seem bleak today, but isn’t that an echo of the past? The tapestry of history is replete with times of strife, division, corruption, and despair. The connectivity of our current era may amplify this, but it has always been part of our shared human experience.
Yet, amidst the seemingly relentless tide of adversity, there’s a beacon of hope, and it’s not rooted in us, our governing bodies, our churches, or even our religious leaders. The hope lies in the enduring faithfulness and power of Christ. We find solace in King David’s words, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Ps 20:7).
Raise your wearied spirit unless it’s bowed in prayer before the One who saves. God isn’t indifferent; He’s watchful and at work within our lives. Even if our earthly institutions falter, we remain committed to our mission to make disciples of all nations. Our resolve remains steadfast, echoing the words of faith, “You can kill the body, but you can’t kill the soul” (Mt 10:28).
Resilience in our culture requires a divine faith, a spiritual fortitude that is unshakeable. Our relationship with God isn’t one of transactions; His wisdom unfolds in His time. Even when His work is not apparent, we wait and trust, knowing that one day, our faith will be made manifest.
God isn’t helplessly hoping for political solutions. He remains the ultimate authority. In His truth, we find the antidote to anxiety and fear. We are not beholden to any earthly powers; our allegiance is to the heavenly kingdom. Our trust is placed in a God who is omnipotent, not impotent.
He is not only our divine King but also a loving Father, inviting us to find comfort and peace in our Savior. As Paul beautifully expressed, “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:5‑7).
In Luke 15, Jesus shares parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son, underscoring the terror of being lost and the profound joy of being found. Just like the little girl who momentarily lost her mother in a crowd and sought comfort in a familiar friend, we too often find ourselves feeling alone amidst our troubles, anxiously seeking solace.
But just as the little girl’s mother was close by all along, God is always with us. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). Even in our lost moments, He remains our ever-present support.
Trials can often cloud our vision. But in those moments of worry and anxiety, it’s essential to remember our source of help and strength. As pastor Anthony Carter once said, “By the precious blood of Christ, we belong to Him… the Lord, who holds the world, holds us, too.”
In a world where the din often feels overpowering, we must find refuge in the God who cradles us in His hands. We must remember, like the little girl, that our Guide, our Comforter, is ever-present, shepherding our path and guiding our hearts, as long as we remain receptive to His divine whispers.
