Submitted by Andy McIlvain.
Right now in America and around the world there is much angst. Our continuous American election cycle and the pandemic along with life in general has many people on edge. God has historically always used plague/pandemics to reorder, reveal, and reset our lives. As serial sinners we grow far to comfortable with the status quo and fall into patterns of this world that are sinful, unholy, and evil.
Christians often fall into these traps, and in our current culture many Christians have become lukewarm and functional atheists. The world can’t tell the difference between proclaimed Christians and the rest of the humanity.
If we faithfully pray and read our Bibles and persist in our relationship with Christ, a perspective emerges that nothing else in life produce.
You and I cannot begin to understand or know the true nature of the reality we are in. God’s creation is much bigger than what we see in front of us. The invisible realm overlaps the visible realm, and it, like ours, teems with activity. That activity has impact and relates to all of us.
God is sovereign and faithful to us. He shows us mercy moment by moment.
As citizens we must in a Christ-gospel centered manner do all we can to help our culture and community flourish. We must seek to lead people to Christ. But at the end of the day we are not God.
If the worst happens, and at some point we become a Marxist-socialist nation God will still give you an abundant life. Yes, we may be persecuted. Much can happen which ultimately is but a light and momentary affliction. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…”
The overwhelming concerns we have about life and culture are, at this point in history, views fed by our narrow outlook of a complex creation. We are not in control; God is in control. So what besides voting can you do? We do what we should always do. We pray daily, we read scripture, we help family friends and community, and we attend church to the greatest degree we can.
Put aside your addiction to news and entertainment. Focus on what has eternal value. Nothing of this world – no politician, no lifestyle – nothing will save you.
No matter what, God the Father, Christ Jesus, and the Person of the Holy Spirit are sustaining you and I. The Triune God is intimately involved in our lives; only God knows our hearts and the depths of our souls.
Hebrews 1:3 says, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”
Check out Andy McIlvain’s blog here.