To Hell in a Handbasket

Yesterday, while running errands with my kiddos, I took a detour through the neighborhood I grew up in, just 20 minutes or so from where we now live.

As we drove I relayed memories of friends who used to abide in the old, modest homes that line the streets.

My son asked, “What kinds of things did you used to do with your friends, Mommy?”

Memories began flooding back. Images of long-hours spent playing at the neighborhood park and riding our bikes up and down the hilly roads without a worry in the world flooded my brain.

That was 20 years ago, though.

Back then we didn’t give a second thought to our safety. Every afternoon kids took to the streets to meet up and play until our parents called us home- and not by phone, of course.

These days we are bombarded with story after story after story of attacks, outbreaks and evil that threaten our safety. The news rolls on and on with endless information, and we glue ourselves to our TV screens every evening to find out what new tragedy has taken place.

Now, I don’t have cable, but I get a good enough dose of news through social media these days.

Brutal murders, outbreaks, perversion and lawlessness.

An increase of these over the past month has turned my mind to contemplate these evils that run so rampant and what our response, as Christians, should be.

We believe the Word of God is 100% true. We profess this, we tout this.

So my question is this: Why are so many of us responding to these events with fear and anger that looks no differently than unbelievers?

After all, we live in a fallen world with evil and disease brought on by our own sinful nature. Furthermore, scripture foretold thousands of years ago that these things would take place before Christ returns.

Jesus himself said that the end days would be like those in Noah’s time which the book of Genesis describes as “wicked” (def. evil or morally bad).

As Christ-followers we are called to live and respond differently. Now more than ever it is crucial that we let our lives shine, lifting up the name of Jesus- instead of perpetuating fear and evil.
 
Pay close attention to and take to heart the words found in 2 Timothy 1:7:

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and oflove and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” [AMP]
 
The evil is real. The risk is real. But do not give in to the fear-mongering.

You see, we’ve become too attached to this world which the Bible says, “is not [our] home” (2 Peter 2:11)—but our hope should exist in Christ alone who is our peace.
Friends, the world needs us to be sound-minded in the midst of chaos. What does that look like?

Do not be angry.
Do not be worried.
Do not be surprised.
Do not perpetuate fear.
Do not give into the sin that surrounds you.
Do not let fear control your emotions or your decisions.
 
Let’s stand against the tidal wave of culture--
The News that only aims to get us to watch more news,
the companies making profit off of fear,
the individuals using evil circumstances only to validate their viewpoint.
 
Let’s exercise that spirit of power, love, calm, well-balanced mind, discipline and self-control that God has instilled in each and every one of us, starting today.

“…in the last days there will be very difficult times.

For people will love only themselves and their money.
They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

They will be unloving and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends and be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God…

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.
​Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

2 Timothy 3:1-4, 4:5