“Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.” (Mark 13:8 NLT)
There’s a sense in which what we’re presently experiencing in our personal lives pales in comparison to what’s coming. We whine about a broken toilet when there are millions of people in our world who have no concept of what an indoor toilet is. In America we have privileges many parts of the world can’t fathom, yet we want better, faster, and more convenient.
To own a house is a dream billions of people in the world can’t conceive. The average cost of a house in America today ranges from $350,000 to $500,000, amounts that are inconceivable when your annual income is less than $400. Perhaps that’s why it’s so easy for many in privileged countries to want a Jesus who will serve them, rather than be served.
It’s interesting to me that storms are no respecter of persons. Tornadoes and hurricanes blow houses away regardless of their cost and fires ravage whatever is in their paths without regard to their age or beauty. There’s a sense in which God uses sicknesses and disease to work that way in our lives.
We tend to think we’re “all that” when the truth is we’re being eaten alive from the inside out by our sinful choices and self-centered notions. We live in blatant violation of God’s Word yet expect privilege because we’re such a “good” person. Perhaps it’s ironic that the more willing I am to see my vileness, the potential of my sinful nature, the more clearly I’m able to see the beauty and majesty of Jesus.
It’s tragic when children die, but there’s a part of me that thanks the Lord for His mercy in taking them home before they make a mess of their lives. The untold millions of babies that have been murdered by abortion are cradled in their heavenly Father’s arms and will forever be loved and cherished. Does that excuse their violent murder? Of course not, but it’s indicative of how little we value human life.
We often ask, “Why me?” when we’re diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, dementia or other debilitating diseases. But the better question is for those who haven’t yet been diagnosed: “Why NOT me?” I certainly don’t blame God for my dementia, it’s likely the result of my own lack of care for my body over the years I ate and drank whatever I wanted without regard to what I was doing to myself.
God allows “storms” in whatever form they may come, not to punish us, but to wake us up, to strengthen us, to alert us to the fact our bodies are temporal, but our souls are eternal. Please ponder these powerful words of E. A. Kilbourne: “Faith grows during storms. The strongest trees are found not in the thick shelter of the forest but out in the open, where winds from every direction bear down upon them. These are the trees that toolmakers seek for handles for their tools, because of the wood’s great strength.
It is the same in the spiritual world. The path of faith is a steep, rocky, and narrow path, where the winds of hell will try to knock you off your feet. It is one of sorrow and joy, suffering and healing comfort, tears and smiles, trials and victories. Yet ‘in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.’ (Romans 8:37).”
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 