If you like me are watching the news or reading the paper, you’re aware that we have a crisis upon our hands. We are daily faced with economic uncertainties – foreclosures and unemployment numbers continue to rise. As if that was not enough, it seems as if the value of human life has hit an all time low. Each day lives are lost in senseless acts of violence. Wars are being fought across the globe, leaving in its wake untold human casualties; hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods batter an already beleaguered planet. I can go on and on talking about the atrocities and the senseless violence plaguing this world, but there are not enough volumes of books to contain it all. The question is what shall we say to these things?
We live in a time when less than one percent of the population control over 90% of the world’s wealth. In America, the lone superpower, people have to choose between eating and buying much needed medicine. Countless of Americans in this land of opportunity dread getting ill because they have no insurance to cover their healthcare costs. In the breadbasket of the world, millions of people go to bed without even a slice of bread to curb their hunger. Men and women are paid millions of dollars to throw a ball into a hoop, make a touchdown or hit a ball across the field; yet the homeless population continues to grow. Hollywood spends millions on creating elaborate productions, so that we can be entertained, while little kids across the world grow more and more emaciated and wither away from lack of basic necessities. The vanity of humanity has grown to such outlandish proportions that some would pay extravagant prices for things which perish with using, while across town a family huddles in a one bedroom shack, holding on to each other to stay warm because the heat is shut off due to nonpayment. What I wonder, shall we say to these things?
Over the last century alone, mankind has experienced a tremendous growth of knowledge. What started during the industrial revolution has culminated in the information superhighway. We have figured out ways to do heart transplants, cure many diseases, and to save lives. However, we have also found more effective ways to kill each other. For every invention that comes along to preserve and provide a better quality of life, another one comes along to take that life. Alfred Nobel was elated when he figured out how to make dynamite; he was terribly disappointed when he realized man would use his invention to destroy lives. In our desire to create a utopia of peace and security we use violence. We fight a war against terrorism by using terrorism. We decry the innocent death of thousands at the World Trade Center and give silent acquiescence to the death of millions around the world, and in our very own neighborhoods. We as humans are our worst enemies. Left to ourselves we would simply destroy each other, until all that remained were bodies strewn across a barren land.
In this age, where reason and intellect are greatly praised, where one can trip over knowledge walking down the street, why is it that we have failed to provide for the greatest desire of mankind? That is the desire for peace and safety. Why have we not found ways to do away with famines? Why have we not found ways to ensure that all receive access to medical care? Why have we not found a solution to homelessness? Why have we not, in all our wisdom, been able to nurture world peace and stem the propensity that we have for destruction? What will be our answer to these things?
What do I say to all these things? I do not try to find an answer for this world’s ills in social activism or in political maneuverings. I find an answer for these things firmly rooted and grounded in the word of God. A long time ago a humble carpenter from Nazareth spoke of this time in earth’s history. He could not have been more accurate in His description of what is happening now. Because He has been so accurate thus far, I cannot doubt the rest of what He has said will also come to pass. There will be no peace here on this earth, no utopia of bliss. This world is speeding toward a cataclysmic end. The only safety that we have is to ally ourselves with Christ Jesus. Only He can rescue us when this world is on fire.
The Spirit of the living God is being slowly removed from this earth, and we are seeing the results all around. The hearts of men are growing colder as the days go by. Life as we know it is not getting any better. Everywhere people are groaning under the heavy weight of living day to day. What should give us hope as we see this dismal decaying world? I offer to you Jesus. I know that there are some who do not believe in God. They do not believe in heaven; they say that we make our heaven or hell down here. However, if there is not more to life than this wretched existence, then we should be among all creatures most miserable. It is only in God that we can find hope for a better tomorrow. The financial crisis, Katrina and the tsunami pales in comparison to what is about to come. Christ has promised us that He will keep us through this storm that has broken upon this universe. My answer to these things is Jesus.
I watch the unfolding of these events with the understanding that I am simply a pilgrim in this strange land. And though, I strive to make this world better for my stay in it, I understand this is not my final home. Jesus has promised that He has gone to prepare my home and He will come again to receive me unto himself, that where He is there I might be also (John 14:1-3). The Jews during Christ’s first advent did not understand that, they were looking for a temporal glory; they wanted Him to fix the problems on this earth, and create a society where they could live in relative peace and prosperity. They did not understand that it was not for this purpose that He came.
Our weapons in this battle are not carnal; they are not in the lobbying halls of congress, on placards at a protest rally or fighting for gun control. Our weapons are mighty and spiritual through the pulling down of strongholds. Our only weapon is prayer and being hid in Christ. If you like me are tired of this world and all its problems, let’s ensure that our lives are pleasing to Jesus. Let’s go out and tell others that He is coming soon and help them to get ready, in so doing we shall be able to hasten the second coming of our Lord. We will usher in the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is only then that we will truly experience a world without wars, tears, violence, rapes and untold hardships.
Maranatha!
Tags: answers, current events, Jesus, news
August 27th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Well Said….We all need to spread the gospel, we need to start with our families and friends. But first we need to allow the Lord to live out his life within us.