Wow, where does one begin?!?! A lot of hearts were elated today, a lot of hearts were heavy. Regardless of which category you find yourself in today, it's quite possibly because you are looking to the future - with hope, or with fear. Maybe you've found yourself teetering on the line that keeps you somewhere in between, generally full of hope, yet not without a nagging little bit of uncertainty clinging to your socks, keeping you from drifting off into blissful earthly peace, suckered by a feeling that life as you know it for you, and for everyone else, will no longer be the same. And it's a annoying feeling that it won't necessarily be for the better, well, as far as your flesh is concerned. (And before any conclusions are allowed to be drawn, I want to assure you that I don't say that because America just elected it's first African-American president - I am very glad that racial lines are continuing to be blurred in many hearts. I'm talking about uncertainty of the future.)
The economy has been like a yo-yo lately, it seems like unrighteousness, disillusionment and deception continue rising, the U.S. is losing favor with nations in the world, God seems to be pushed further and further away from our nation and many others, and it seems that no matter how much His children fast, pray and beg, it doesn't seem to help. It really, overall, just doesn't seem like roses and daisies. But maybe that's because we are looking with our natural eyes, and not with our spiritual eyes.
I admit, I didn't sleep the best last night. In fact, there have been several nights that I've awakened in the middle of the night with an unsettling feeling, and the only thing that would help would be a glass of milk and spending time talking to the Lord. Growing up, I didn't think that there could be so much change in our country. I may not have known what my life would have been like, but I think somewhere in the back of my mind, I always planned I would be able to get married and raise my 2.5 children, have a dog and a happy little family going through typical life struggles.
Now I'm married, getting ready to welcome our first child in several months, and just not sure how much of a "happy American dream" we will have. At the same time, I spoke with a friend today who is 70, and she said that her parents thought the end of the world was coming when they were in World War II, and she's still here 70 years later. I've talked with Godly people who really believe we don't have much more time, but then I've talked with/heard from others who really believe we still have a little more of a chance. I really don't have the answers, and I don't know a lot of things, except that we must set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts.
I want to share something, because I KNOW many of you are feeling similarly - I've talked with some of you. Yesterday I got a letter from a ministry that I've received letters from for many years. It was a timely message. And I thought I'd like to share some of the things that I was encouraged with today. The Holy Spirit used the letter, a couple of conversations I had with dear friends, and His flat out Truth to help me. May He also encourage you, today as well.
One friend and I were both experiencing the same heavy heart today about the future. She shared with me something that the Lord revealed to her. This morning, she heard many birds outside singing their little birdie hearts out. It was while listening to them that she felt the Lord remind her of how He cares for even the sparrows (Luke 12:6-8) and how much more is He concerned with us? If they can freely sing, then why can't she/we sing Him praises...no matter how things are going?
Here is an excerpt from that ministry letter (from World Challenge Inc.) that I got. "Simply put, Satan wants to rob you of all hope by consuming you with foreboding thoughts. But you cannot figure out the future through being totally preoccupied with this. In reality, it can get you bogged down in fear and obsessing about frightful events."** (You can check out the full letter at the link provided below.) This encouraged me as it was a confirmation to what the Lord has reminded me of on a few occasions whenever my mind would start wondering into that uncertain territory.
It goes along with Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." We DON'T KNOW what the future holds, so why waste time and energy on worrying about it? Instead, let's use that time and energy on counseling our hearts to trust that no matter what, God's grace is sufficient for each day, each hour, each season! Mothers taking care of their family each day, doing the same mundane things day in and day out rely on the same God who gives grace to those who are dying for their faith in other countries.
I was speaking with another friend who recently, after decades of walking with the Lord, started to find peace in simply thanking and trusting the Lord each day that He is faithful to give the grace for what she needs for that very day. She has been through a lot of tough stuff in life, yet she remains determined to be faithful to and trusting of her loving Father. She could be another one who is disheartened right now, but she did a couple of things.
One, she's been counseling her heart in the Lord, and two, she's been staying away from too much political media the last couple of weeks as she noticed it was fogging up her prayer life. Have you noticed, especially in this election, how excessively "passionate", or maybe I should say "harsh", "rude" and even "hateful" - INCLUDING CHRISTIANS - have been? I'm wondering, if we are supposed to be walking in the Spirit (Who's characteristics are displayed in Galatians 5) have we really been trusting God? Yes, I am ALL FOR speaking the Truth and telling people about important issues concerning the candidates that concern you, but to do so in love! Something that I can't say that even I did all of the time.
I noticed it was particularly easy for me to get "fleshy" and eventually worried after absorbing myself too much in what the media was saying. Maybe if we relied on God and what He said more than what others were saying, we'd be better off? I know it worked out better for Caleb and Joshua. (Numbers 13:30-31, Numbers 32:11-13)
So, I've had a lot to say, some may be used as an encouragement for you if you ponder on it with the Lord. I hope it's at least a launching point for you to seek Him more. We don't know what the future holds, especially in a society that increasingly seems to cry out "tolerance" for everyone but Christians. But I want to share two more things that are on my heart (which very easily can go together in this time), one of which I may blog about more in depth later.
Hebrews 12:14-15 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Please, if you are a follower of Christ, guard your heart and do not allow bitterness to remain in you. It truly will defile you, and many others.
Romans 13:1 says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (emphasis mine)
Jesus is still the King of kings (Presidents of presidents), all authority is under Him (Psalm 72:11) and He directs a king's heart (Proverbs 21:1). We may not trust how things are going in the nation or world, but we can trust the One who is not caught off guard by any good or bad in the world.
Blessings and His peace be with you,
Becca
Any comments, please send to beccatsp@kgcr.org.
** Posted with permission from World Challenge, Inc. http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/newsletter/resting_in_jesus_in_perilous_times
*** Scripture from NIV
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