Friends,
When I was growing up I would often find myself hiding away. Not always in a literal sense, but in my journals and thoughts. If there were arguments or fights at school, I would process things quietly and fearfully until the conflict subsided. I remember one fight in particular that started over a very trivial and paltry issue. Two girls ended up ripping out each other’s hair, and losing their voices from a screaming match. I was afraid to walk the halls for a week.
In a time when matters of human rights and politics are dividing the world minute by minute, I feel myself shrinking back just like in grade school. Though these issues are hardly trivial or paltry, the natural reaction of the heart can treat it that way. Its easy to become discouraged when the majority of what we read online seems to be effectuating no peace or answer. Half of me wants to know the perfect answer to the world’s problems. The other half of me wants to cover up in blankets and not come out until everyone is holding hands. Nonetheless, I know things don’t work that way.
I believe it is vitally important to have beliefs and research viable sources t0 back those beliefs. However, Jesus is beckoning us to believe in Him more than we believe in any political party. Instead of binging news articles or Facebook comments, I feel called to step aside. Sometimes the familiar turns to chaos and becomes confusing. People you love offend you. People you love are fighting against other people you love. Loving becomes difficult to do.
In times like this, I have realized that there is no other option except to step aside and reach for Jesus. If you are a Christian, there should be no confusion regarding how to treat anyone. There should be no confusion regarding who you should love. One of my favorite passages in the book of Luke represents this beautifully. Jesus’ words: “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28; emphasis added). This is instruction from the Jesus who healed anyone who asked, fed anyone who was hungry, found anyone who was lost.
Romans chapter 4 reminds us of Abraham’s faithfulness when his world was shaking. His old age and tired body are representations of how our situations can so easily rob us of our strength. His barren wife Sarah is a representation of the hope we often lose when the world is in chaos. Abraham believed in God’s promise, even when it was unrealistic and seemingly hopeless to do so. “He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:19-22)
And God did fulfill His promise, as He always does. Sarah and Abraham had a son. Abraham lived a long life full of prosperity and the generations after him are countless and boundless. God always fulfills His promises.
No matter the side you take, the beliefs you hold, or the values you swear by… there is only one source of hope that can actually make an unwavering promise and fulfill it. No matter how much faith we have in mankind, political parties or ourselves, we can never force the world to fulfill its promises. Never. There is no guarantee. Except with Jesus. There is always a guarantee with Jesus.
If you are a believer burdened by chaos and struggling for answers, I challenge you to step aside for a moment. Be refreshed in your seeking of Jesus and His promises. Do not deny anyone love or kindness. Rest and pray and seek the Word before anyone else’s words. There are promises yet to be fulfilled, and that means there is so much to look forward to.
Be encouraged friends. Jesus is still the same.
In love and prayer,
Rachel