When the state of the world has you down

Is it just me, or does every year feel heavier?

Maybe it’s part of growing older, but it seems like each year is full of more bad news, more bad circumstances, more bad actors in government, and more people making bad choices that hurt others.  Overwhelming no longer feels like a “sometimes” word…it’s become the norm for many of us, with the exhausted pigeon meme aptly describing our lives.

For those of us who believe in Jesus for eternal life, we have a great comfort available to us – the promises made by God in the Scriptures.  Whenever the state of the world has us feeling down, we often turn to verses emphasizing our heavenly future to give us both comfort and perspective:

Philippians 3:20
Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

There are many other verses that look forward to eternity future, where God tells us about our glorious destiny together with Him as an encouragement while we wait for that time to arrive.  But when dwelling on this truth, I’ve detected a subtle undercurrent of self-centeredness in myself and, based upon the behavior of many other Christians, I don’t think I’m alone in my selfishness.

Oftentimes, when I think about eternity future…my focus is very me-centric.  I don’t like the pain I’m dealing with now, so I can’t wait until the day that all pain is gone.  I don’t like the government leaders I have right now, so I look forward to when Jesus will be the one in charge.  I don’t want to live where so much hate-filled rhetoric comes from so many people, so I want God’s eternal peace now.  I’m tired of all the ignorance, fearmongering, violence, and selfishness I see online and in the news…and I’m just ready to go to heaven right now.

All those things about eternity future are true, and God has promised that future to those who believe in Jesus for eternal life…but we tend to forget that we were once part of the crowd we now want to leave behind:

Titus 3:3-8
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

This is a trustworthy saying.  And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Paul’s instruction for Titus’ message to his churches in Crete is clear – Don’t forget where you came from.  They have the same opportunity to be saved as you did.

Paul wants Titus to stress these things because remembering them and living out that new identity in Christ is excellent and profitable for everyone – not just for believers, but also for those who are still foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved.

So yes, we are to look forward to eternity future.  We can draw hope from knowing our destiny is secure in God’s promises.  But don’t let our eternal status lead us to feeling superior, smug, or above what’s happening in the world around us.  When we are careful to devote ourselves to doing what is good, we point them toward the God who saved us.

Because…at one time we too were just like them.  Don’t forget where you came from.  And don’t forget that the only reason for our salvation isn’t because of us.  It’s all because of His mercy.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

When I feel like I can’t keep up

Life can move at a frantic pace.  We use all sorts of phrases to describe it.  How many of these have you said?

These days are flying by.
This month has been a blur.
This year is moving so fast.
We’re doing everything at 100 mph.

It’s not just the unrelenting forward progression of time that has us feeling like we can’t keep up…it’s also the volume of events and responsibilities that get jammed into the swiftly moving stream of minutes.  No matter what grade level you’re in, there is homework in nearly every subject.  All of our jobs have multiple projects, events, or responsibilities that must be simultaneously managed.  It’s impossible to stay up-to-date on all the news – local, national, and global.  Social media always has more notifications and content for you to follow up on. 

Our hobbies have the ability to leave us feeling a bit overwhelmed, as well.  Keeping up with multiple sports teams and leagues; the latest movies and streaming shows; and online video games can feel like a part-time job.  Don’t forget to exercise.  And you know you should read that book.  Gotta eat healthy.  Go to church, be involved more than just showing up on Sunday.  The cleaning chores around the house never end, and a broken appliance is never a welcomed situation.  Make friends, keep friends, and be nice to strangers.  Stay in contact with your family, near and far away. 

Then multiply by the number of people in your family.  Add 10 points for good measure, for all the things I forgot to list. 

Oh yeah…and remember everyone (including ourselves) is sinful, broken, and selfish.  That won’t complicate much, will it?

I’m feeling a little stressed just writing all that down.  I imagine you’re feeling the same after reading it.

I was challenged recently with the words Paul wrote to the believers in the region of Galatia.  And with that challenge came a perspective that will help relieve the stress of life’s pace we all feel:

Galatians 5:16
I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.

A little bit later, Paul adds:

Galatians 5:22, 25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

So, if living by the Spirit is living out the fruit of the Spirit in the various parts of our lives, what is Paul talking about when he says to keep in step with the Spirit? 

This is a question of pacing, so I find it super-interesting that just a few verses prior, Paul’s prescribed pace is to walk by the Spirit.  The average human walks a pace of 3 mph.  Looking back at the life of Jesus, we don’t see him hitching a ride on a horse or chariot.  He walked everywhere.  He did life and ministry at a pace of 3 mph.  I have to wonder if we have trouble knowing God’s desire for us or recognizing His leading us because we’re just moving too fast.

If Jesus is moving at 3 mph, and I’m moving at 100 mph – who is following whom?

We must intentionally add slowness into our days.  Carve out some time, protect those boundaries, and put everything on pause for just a few moments.  During that time, ask God to show you His pace for your day.

Doing so will guarantee that you won’t get everything done for the day.  But you will have done the best thing you could do for today.

Keep Pressing,
Ken