When we live like a saint, there will be a clear contrast between us and the world. God needs us to be the contrast and counterpoint to an unsaintly world. The more vivid the contrast, the greater our light will shine into the darkness.
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I spent a week in “heaven”–outside this country–among others from around the world who share a common passion, purpose, and voice. Not until the morning we returned to the States did I hear (unwillingly, but I was “trapped” by seating on the bus) any political discussion. The week was definitely a taste of heaven, in many ways, but the absence of politics was a part of that, for me.
Oddly or not, the person sitting behind me on the bus, a committed Christ-follower, was taking the negative view on everything. Don’t get me wrong; I feel much the same as he, in terms of the economic crisis and the upcoming election. But his discourse did not bless me, at all! And in talking with my family, I find our conversations on these matters are negative, reflecting fear and a whole lot of anger.
I would really like to say that no reasonably sane person could *not* be angry at those who have created the mess we’re in, and could *not* be fearful for the “foreseeable” future. But I don’t suppose you would let me get away with that, and I generally believe you are a reasonably sane person!
So I’ll just say I’m finding the challenge to keep my focus on God, to put all my faith on Him, and not to be angry and fearful, a very difficult one. (Frankly, my fears for the future are greater with respect to one candidate than the other, but I don’t see either man as a source of hope, which is a bit depressing.)
Continue to challenge us, Glen. Uphold the Word of God as a mirror to us, encouraging us toward greater transformation.