BLOG POST
In this time of pandemic fears, unrest in the stability of the country, deaths at an all-time high, isolation in social distancing, a cry for justice, and equality. Some people who had hope have lost it. Those who were hopeless have turned to the only hope we as humans have. These issues apparently are outside the scope of a quick resolution. I call it the CROSS/over.
Before this current state of chaos, we have seen, since 2016, a new normal in the leadership of this country; the American way of life just spiraled out of control. This writer has never experienced anything like the goings-on we have all seen, felt, and heard in the past four years. The enemy of God unleashed a spirit on the world, tuned it up as it were, and caused the division that was always there, even amongst the body of Christ, brought a whole ‘nother dimension of fear into the atmosphere, as scripture foretells (men’s hearts will fail them for fear).
Even if you support the current regime, to be silent as a believer and not speak out against the treatment of the least of these is sinful. And on the other side of the argument are those that have no connection whatsoever to the believer but choose to stand up against injustice. Also in this climate, we see those who profess to believe but, because of their failed idea of success, protection, or promises, they have turned from the Light to darkness. They don’t ascribe to the Gospel truth anymore; where is the God who saves, heals, protects, or comforts? The question posed: “Why are all these things that now plague our society allowed to happen?”
Each generation has been plagued.
“That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJV).
Because times are unprecedentedly troubling, their faith in the Unseen God tapped out. Or even better yet, this is what the enemy wants us to believe to keep us enslaved. To stop us from resisting the lies told when brought to this country on ships. Or, the fact that the indigenous peoples were slaughtered and corralled on small plots of land when before, we were free to roam and enjoy the entirety of the land God gave them. Or, the oppressed peoples seeking asylum and refuge from cartels, poverty, and hopelessness; when this country’s government turned its back, caged, and refused to extend them help, and called aliens! I thought aliens were beings from outer space, not human beings.
Scripture says in the beginning, we are created in God’s image -- this country's independence declaration states that all men are created equal. When and where did that interpretation of equality become distorted? When and why do people feel the need to be superior to people of other ethnicities? Why is it necessary for them to dominate, humiliate, denigrate, deny basic human rights to life? But instead, replace this with insulting, mocking, and murdering human beings. God is the Giver of life! We are His image-bearers. Where does this ingrained hatred stem from? Why is it necessary for man to oppress? Why is it okay to inflict injustice on the very people who elected them? Again, I ask where does this visceral hatred and attitude of superiority emanate from?
When the oppression of a people comes to a head, they either bolt or revolt. After waiting for change, relief, rescue, and nothing changes, people respond or react. It is a reaction based on self-preservation - an innate instinct in every person.
This oppressive living takes a devastating toll on the psyche. Any caring individual may feel impotent because there is no relief! No one is immune. No inoculation from this dis-ease is available unless you attempt to numb your heart, mind, and soul, and live like an ostrich with your head in a hole. No escaping, nowhere to hide from the ravages of sin which breed all the outcropping of hatred and its cohorts.
It may seem hopeless BUT and I mean a big but there is an answer: the only hope for peace of mind, safety, and protection is faith in the Sovereign Lord God. He has said:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)
And so, you were a believer at one point, but any number of things convinced you that faith in Christ was false. He was just made up by the founding fathers of this country who were enslaving people, slaughtering, and taking indigenous peoples’ land. Now think reasonably for a moment — does it make sense to brainwash a people that are kings and queens, leaders and fierce warriors, ingenious builders and intellectually brilliant scientists — to operate love, forgiveness, mercy, and peace?
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44 NKJV)
To you who have turned away from the faith and embraced another way or no way, you’ve allowed yourself to be transformed from light into the same human beings who practice selfishness or wickedness.
“And no wonder! For Satan, himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (II Corinthians 11:14 NKJV)
Deceiving and being deceived.
The CROSS/over is a reminder of the sacrifice God made for us even though we didn’t know His love. He was waiting in the balance for us to turn around and hear Him calling to us, throwing out a life raft to pull each one of us out of the treacherous waters in the sea of life, to give us peace and rest for our souls.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 NKJV)
In this life we will experience victories, accomplish goals, and have a modicum of success. However, we will also have setbacks, heartache, disappointments, and rejection. If your life heretofore has been filled with more of the latter and less of the former, then it’s very easy to walk away, to CROSS/over to the other side of faith in Christ. You may think: What’s the point, you say, “life’s full of letdowns. I was under the impression that if I accepted this faith, life would be better. If anything, it’s worse! I'm jumping ship and abandoning my faith in God. He’s let my loved ones die, He’s let my spouse leave, He’s allowed racism and murder to run rampant. Why.? Doesn’t He see all this?? Does He care that I’m hurting, in despair, and praying for relief? Where is my answer, I’ve been believing and trusting for years and nothing has changed!”
There are Biblical examples for us of (i) peoples that traversed lands for 40 years until they were ready to receive the promise from God of a land of milk and honey (and, even after receiving the inheritance from God, they had to fight to maintain what was given.); (ii) a young man imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit; and (iii) persecuted church members for establishing the good news. These are just a few of the many stories told.
You may think that’s exactly what happened to the indigenous peoples here in America, so why should I continue to believe or trust this account? What have you ever accomplished without effort, education, or perseverance that was worth investing your time, talent, and treasure to reach your objective? What skills have you acquired that didn’t take practice and honing to master? An example of the satisfaction you get from mastering something would be when a baby goes from crawling to walking to running to jumping etc. I realize this a very elementary, but relatable example, but you get the picture.
Throughout our lives, there will be stages of accomplishments and frustrations. But patience and perseverance, if practiced, will prevail to attain your goal.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NKJV)
Anything of value to you, anything you’ve actively and persistently pursued, i.e., dreams, goals, education, happiness, peace of mind, love — once you’ve acquired it you innately will do everything in your power to keep it. You will fight for it because you don’t want to lose it, not willing to surrender or let someone or thing take it away. God feels that way about you! Jesus laid down His life for you from the foundations of this world. All the time wanting us to be in relationship with Him through God’s plan -- Christ’s sacrifice, perseverance, and obedience unto death of the only begotten Son. He is fighting for you, the prized possession of a loving relationship.
“Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14 NKJV).
Even in your abandonment or rejection of His love, He still loves you. What kind of love is this?
Why let yourself be robbed? Opening up a door for the thief to kill, steal and destroy! Robbery is a violation of your personhood. If you’ve ever been robbed you know that feeling. Do not let your own disappointment and fears rob you of the love God as for you!
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”
So, just think if you get robbed of your light, you’re walking in darkness as well. You’re uncertain which direction to go. You can’t see the way because your light is dim and you are surrounded by darkness, confusion, and betrayal. Insecurity becomes your necklace. A cloud follows—a smokescreen; so your vision isn’t clear. What you’re looking at isn’t what it appears to be. Deception becomes the norm. The CROSSover attracts this to you. Like a magnet that draws metals - you’ve been magnetized by the darkness. “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105 NKJV)
The plea of this writer to you is don’t quit. There are hundreds of intercessors praying for you. And the God of Our Salvation is praying as well (Romans 8:34c NKJV). Although you cannot see the sun when the storm is raging, it is still there, and when the clouds pass it shines brightly on you. God is greater than any storm that can befall you. Come back to the place of unconditional love and understanding. CROSSover back to the winning side. It’s never too late and you will feel His love and have hope for an expected good outcome. “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalms 37:5 NKJV)
All Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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