Anger. Peace. Bitterness. Forgiveness. Resentment. Gratitude. Hate. Love. Sorrow. Joy. I’ve honestly felt all of these (sometimes more than one at a time) in rapid-fire succession for days now. It’s been exhausting. Regardless of your spiritual posture, your political affiliation, your financial status, or your cultural background, our hearts and minds have been assaulted by the enemy. But we shouldn’t be surprised.
Whether it’s children dying in a church during the school day, a woman unable to simply walk down the sidewalk safely by herself, a disgruntled employee being escorted out of an office building by security, a young Ukranian girl losing her life on a train after work, or a 31-year-old husband and dad being assassinated while the world watched, the evil seems to be winning. It would be easy to stay in our homes, cover our heads, and disengage. Some days, that seems like the best plan. I see you shaking your head in agreement.
We tell ourselves to avoid social media and not watch the news. We intentionally don’t respond to that text or call. But there’s no way to block the chaos out completely. It’s saturated the very air we breathe.
Countless people or platforms have attempted to divide us even further. Evil is called good. Good is called evil. Pastors who call themselves “Christian” are spewing lies that are being reposted and used to bring additional division. We cringe at rebuke (when that’s what many out there need). Bible verses are taken out of context in order to make people feel okay with their choices. It goes on and on and on.
I’ve seen people saying things like, “If you’re a fan of him, you need to delete me now”. Or the opposite might also be said, “If you’re cheering for his death…..” I certainly understand the initial idea behind making a statement that affirms your stance. And yet that’s precisely what the enemy wants to happen. He wants division. He encourages lies. He celebrates the lack of communication and sowing seeds of misunderstanding.
There are two very simple commandments that seem to be missing from much of what we’re seeing. They aren’t my opinion; my opinion doesn’t matter. They are the very words of God and that means they carry more weight than anything else we can say or do. Matthew 22, Mark 12, and Luke 10 are just a few of the places we can look for guidance. First, we’re told to “love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and might”. Too many have lost sight of this altogether. It’s the very foundation that all of our actions are built on; which actually explains a lot of those actions (good and bad). Second, we’re told to “love your neighbor as yourself”. Wow! Since we haven’t taken care of the first one, it’s fairly obvious that the second one isn’t being tended to either. It’s no wonder everything is such a mess.
Of course we’re angy, bitter, resentful, hateful, and full of sorrow. We’re in a spiritual battle against the enemy for our very souls. The vitriol must stop. We can’t continue to justify our sick and twisted ideas as if we somehow are better or smarter than God. My opinion doesn’t amount to a hill of beans and neither does yours.
Atrocities are happening around us at alarming rates. That’s a fact. The Bible tells us what to expect. No one should be surprised or caught off guard. We should be consumed with loving God and boldly stand strong to speak against evil. In doing so, it would be easy to fear. Yet we’ve seen God’s purposes and plans being fulfilled over and over in the brave actions and words of some of his finest warriors.
When we are loving God FIRST, He gives us the ability to love others well. That’s the only way to explain those who pray for their enemies. When we’re loving God FIRST, we’re able to speak truth in love that encourages thought-provoking questions and deep examination of the soul. I don’t plan to “unfriend” anyone (although it’s tempting). I pray to keep the doors of opportunity open, that those who are lost will be found. That God reveals to them the ways they’re being deceived.
I don’t pretend to have all of the answers. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I don’t have any of the answers (outside of Jesus). But I do know that I’m grateful to live in the reassurance that this broken, messy world is not my home. I have the promise of knowing how the story ends. (P.S. If you aren’t aware, hit me up. I’ll explain.) And today is another day closer.
Genesis 50:20 ~ As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.