. . . when we suddenly have a need. Otherwise, don’t bother us with talking or singing about Him or placing His Holy Book where we might see it … or placing a visual re-creation of Jesus’ birth scene in the town square, as we might offend someone!
We’re told America is no longer a Christian nation and there certainly is, among the population as a whole, less and less interest in God, Jesus, church or having a real relationship with any of them.
Yet, when tragedy strikes … one of the first items that comes into view as people’s hearts are wrenched by what has occurred is the cross of Jesus! As I write this, 72 hours have passed since the massacre in Aurora, Colorado and, as folks began to establish memorial sites for the victims, the pictures showed not only flowers and teddy bears but a number of crosses as well, along with much talk of prayer and praying.
If it’s simple human nature, something that’s built into our makeup, that we turn to God in times of crises … why as a nation do we keep rejecting Him and passing laws to keep Bibles and prayer and references to God … especially our Christian God hidden from view? Yes, there are many answers and you know them as well as I.
Yesterday morning before leaving for church, I was led to read this portion of the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, Verses 5 through 18 of Chapter Five, which somehow in my mind seems to fit this situation:
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Peace & Safety . . .
Even before what happened in Colorado Friday morning, these two words have been very much on my mind and in my praying heart as relates to the Olympic Games and all those thousands who are converging on London to participate and view.
We have more and more songs being recorded by Southern Gospel groups that address, in one fashion or another, our nation – or we can easily say “nations” and include Canada as well – turning back to God and putting Him back in His rightful place.
Just singing about it doesn’t do much, but are we prepared to finally take action? And, if that were to possibly occur, would it help?
Meanwhile, let us make a priority to pray fervently that there be “peace” throughout the world and “safety” for all mankind. I know it may not be much … but there is power in numbers. So, if every one of the 250,000 or so who listen to enLighten were to do this religiously, it would be a good start!
Marlin
