Peace in a Riot Torn, War Torn World

^“ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23  (NIV)

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.” John 14:27

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7  (Paul’s letter to the Philippian Church)

One of the major blessings Christ believers have is peace when their is chaos in our lives and/or in the world.  It really does defy logic.  It really is real.

While many were in great angst about the presidential election in the United States, there was a level of peace for those whose hope is in Christ Jesus.  You see, we are in a win-win situation.  We pray our heart desires to our Lord, our God, and then we leave the results in His almighty hands.  No matter who was to win the election, Christians knew they had placed their pleas in God’s hands, and God heard.  The most important part of our prayer was, “Let Thy will be done.”  In that one statement, we acknowledge that we would rather God’s will be done, no matter the outcome of the election, because God’s will is always better than ours.

And so now, as I watch the demonstrations and riots across the United States, my heart aches for those who do not have this same hope, this same peace.  And as I watch these demonstrations, I want to blame the media for raising the level of hate in this country, and for causing such a great divide.  Oh, how I want to put the blame on them.  But I can’t.

I cannot blame the media, or the other party, or George Soros, or any person or group other than my own.  It was the complacency of Christians, like myself, who allowed this country to fall into such a God-forsaken place.  We allowed God to be pushed out of our schools, and the void was filled by atheists, and those who are seeking and end up in  all sorts of other spiritual practices.

I cannot blame any person or group other than my own, because it was our complacency that allowed the murder of innocent babies.  I cannot blame any person or group, other than my own, because it was our complacency that allowed the definition of tolerance to be changed from “sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own” (www.Merriam-Webster.com/dictionary/tolerance) to changing ones’ beliefs or practices, or not publicly practicing ones’ beliefs or practices to keep from offending someone with different beliefs or practices (definition based on the current state of the issue in the United States.)

I cannot blame any person or group other than my own, because it was our complacency that allowed God to be all but forgotten or dismissed in our society, schools, and government, (and I’m even sad to say, in some churches).

God has given all people choice.  Because we chose to take God for granted, but did nothing to stop the swelling tide against all things of God, He gave us our wish and took Himself out of the life and well-being of this country. Peace, love, hope, joy all disappear along with God.  This is exactly what God did when those living in Israel and Judah turned to other gods, other forms of worship.  God allowed that choice, and the consequences that came from it.  They were destroyed.  The Israelites were scattered to the far ends of the Assyrian Empire, and those from Judah were carted off to Babylon.

^“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2Chronicles 7:14

Christians, in the United States, myself included,  have woken up.  We have risen up and have humbled ourselves and prayed.  We have once again begun to seek God and turn from our wicked ways, and I believe God has heard our prayers, and will forgive us our sins, and will heal our land.  We have peace as we trust our God.  We have joy as faith floods our hearts.  We have love and God’s love fills and spills over from our lives.

Note of caution to all Christians…. We must not allow complacency to have its evil powers entwine us again.  We must continue to pray.  We must join with others in prayer groups, Bible studies, and work together despite our denominations.  We must remember we are followers of Christ.  We are to be the light to the world.  Do not put the shade back over your light – let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

God bless you all.