Everywhere we go, people want to know…
...sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence...
— 1 Peter 3:15 (NASB)
Are you being asked about the hope that is within you? The world is in turmoil. We meet people and know all too well what it is like to face uncertainty. The financial world has turned upside down in America. With that disaster, many common experiences we took for granted are no longer likely (good jobs, stable or increasing income, housing values, the availability of affordable higher education, etc.)
Maybe your church or family have begun the belt tightening and talking about how to live on less in these times. The not-for-profit appeals in my mailbox all mention the tough times and the need for people to continue to give. Our churches are also indicating that the economy is pressing the church budget to the breaking point.
Yet, in all these things we are more than conquerors in Christ as long as our hope remains in Him. Think about that passage in Romans 8: 38 - 39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV)
People of faith find a way to provide for others – in any economic climate. It is part of our faith in action. The peace we exhibit in a chaotic world will cause people to wonder how we can function so well under such circumstances. We have an unprecedented opportunity when the world shudders with fear to be the salt and light the Lord created his church to become. Let your light so shine in these dark times.
I had lunch with some friends recently who have a kindergarten age child. When it was time for the blessing, she sang out in a steady tuneful rendition of her school spirit song – one line of it rang out with “Everywhere we go people want to know who we are so we tell them…” This tune rises up in my heart to remind me the world is watching us. May people everywhere want to know about the hope within us, Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit – Guide us, direct us and let us become the people of God in these times. May Jesus rejoice over our testimony of him in the world and may we look forward to his return and the accomplishment of his will in our own lives and in our world. Amen.
Copyright © November, 2008 – Margaret Cook. All rights reserved.
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