From Grief to Glory…

Today, there is just a heaviness in my heart.

I grieve over the divisions in our country that seem to become greater with each passing day.
I grieve over the bitter and harsh attitudes of those we have chosen to lead us.
I grieve over the callous disregard to common decency.
I grieve over the seeming unimportance of human life to so very many.
I grieve over the spiritual lostness and darkness in our nation.
I grieve over the disruptions we are all experiencing and the devastation it has caused for so many.
I grieve over the pride and arrogance that seems to permeate our culture.
I grieve over the senseless violence committed daily in our nation and around the world.
I grieve over the obsession with trivial matters and the willful ignorance of issues that truly matter.

In the midst of this grief, it would be easy to shut down – to attempt to put my head in the sand. Some days, quite honestly, I just want to weep and go back to bed for a long, long time, as if this is somehow just a bad dream.

But I, and perhaps you, are called to something more, something better, something higher. Jesus declares that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). If we are salt, then we have a mission to enhance the flavor of life and fight against the moral decay of our culture. If we are light, then we are called to shine brightly the life and message of Jesus to a world that is often dark and scary.

We are not defeated, therefore we are not discouraged. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). If God is for us, who can stand against us? (Romans 8:31) God has a plan and a purpose, but He also has the power to back it up. I’ve read the back of the book (Revelation in the Bible), so I know the end of the story. God wins! And we share in that victory!!

I also know Jesus’ promise not to leave us alone (Matthew 28:20) and send a Comforter, a Helper who would come alongside us to provide what we need for the moment (John 14:15-31). God’s Spirit dwells in His people, so how can I feel helpless and hopeless?!

So, I grieve, but it is not a grief devoid of hope. As the Apostle Paul wrote – 
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4:8-11)

Instead of despair, I will hear and respond to the call of God –
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
(Psalm 60:1)