What persuades you? Is there something in your life today that so energizes you that it cannot be turned off? Is there something so critical that you feel demoralized? Who do you trust? To whom do you turn for advice and counsel?
The last few months our world has been so infected and indoctrinated with political ideologies, that light has all but gone out on what is truly important in life. People say they no longer have any trust. People say they are frightened, angry, enraged, depressed. The gloom and doom of the present crisis in life is taking a toll on people. One man in California killed his mother-in-law, wife and children, and then killed himself because he felt his financial crisis was insurmountable; he could see no other way. An 90 year-old lady shot herself because her home was scheduled for foreclosure. She had no hope.
What does it say about our focus on life when all we are is what we have? What does our politics, economics and ideology say about us as children of God?
"In politics, it is difficult to steer a course, there is a complication of forces to be dealt with which most of us know nothing about. We have no affinity for this kind of thing, and it is easy to ignore the condition of the men who have to live there, and to pass condemnation on them." Oswald Chambers, Shade of His Hand, 1936.
In the midst of America's economic downturn, political campaigns for president, and the pursuit of dreams and change--another war rages on: 4,015 homes in 300 villages were burned displacing more than 50,000 people. "Two pastors were killed, six priests severely injured, one nun was gang raped, two ladies burned alive, 24 other Christians were killed and many injured." A young pastor of a church was brutally killed and the mob dragged his dead body and threw it in a field by the roadside. His wife and 2 year-old daughter are missing. A pastor was asked to deny Jesus. When he refused, his throat was cut. His house and church were destroyed.
While we worry about our 403b's, and 401K's, and whether or not the government will fulfill their promises to seniors collecting Social Security and paying for Medicare, Christians in India are dying for their faith. Ah, Eastern religion at its worst. As people continue to laugh at Christians in the theaters showing "Religiousity"--the blasphemous parody on faith--India's Christians are dying for Jesus. Ah, Eastern religion influence at its best. As Louis Farrakhan endorses Obama and proclaims he is the Messiah, India's Christian's are being burned alive.
Friends, we have so very much more than our bank accounts, annuities, and stock portfolios. We own more than our houses, our Chevy Malibus and closets filled with clothes we do not wear. We have Jesus. We have, for now, the right to proclaim Him in our land. We have, for now, the freedom to worship Him every day of the week if we choose. We do not face, for now, the threat of being raped, murdered and maimed for daring to proclaim Him as our Lord. We have hope where others have none. We have victory where others have defeat. We have grace where others have condemnation. We must take a page out of Paul's bold proclamations before Porcius Festus and King Agrippa. [see Acts 25-26]
This crisis in America is an opportunity to offer the best plan for anyone's future. Jesus Christ and His salvation. We must not take for granted the privileges God has bestowed upon us in a free society. We must use our every resource to help one another and thereby show the love we have for Christ by the love we have for each other. We must give more generously than we've ever given to missions around the world. We must invest more of ourselves into the lives of our children and families. We must fret less about ourselves, and encourage a world in turmoil.
We have a Message worth sharing. We have a Message worth blogging about. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Can we join Paul in saying, "whether short or long, I would to God that not only you, but also all who are listening to me today, might become as I am..."? selahV
[© SelahV Today, hariette petersen, 2008]
[For the full story on India's horror, see Oct. 9th edition of the Baptist Messenger, Editorial, India Burning.]
