people say they hate the world and i don't blame them. especially with what is going on everywhere, the news is quite depressing and so despairing. i've even thought a couple times how i just don't want to live in the world anymore. not because i'm depressed and want to die or anything, but because i just can't believe the things that are going on these days! i really can't. i don't think i can hear any more of it. there's a shooting every other week, injustice everywhere and racism and hatred. trust and love and kindness seem to be decreasing, and their opposites increasing. as followers of Jesus, it's easy to want to throw our hands up, be done, and say "take me home, Jesus."
but i think God loves the world (and every christian recites john 3:16 in unison)... He created the world, came to the world, showed the world there's a better way to live, died for the world. it would've been easier for Jesus to stay with the Father and let us continue on our downward spiral with no hope. but He didn't. He came, with a great cost.
if our goal is to be more like Christ, we can't check out. we can't wish to get away from it all and be done. i think it's never been more crucial to stay. to be light in dark darkness. to weep and mourn with those who weep and mourn. to be advocates. to fight for justice. to work hard to show people that there is good, there is hope. that people can still be trusted. that people can still be kind. to make more room at the table, and invite everyone. to tear down walls instead of put them up. it is crucial that we press on.
like my new favorite author said, "we can't deliver folks from their pits, but we can sure get in there with them until God does. live long enough and it becomes clear that stuff is not the stuff of life. people are." (jen hatmaker)
keep going, friend.
but i think God loves the world (and every christian recites john 3:16 in unison)... He created the world, came to the world, showed the world there's a better way to live, died for the world. it would've been easier for Jesus to stay with the Father and let us continue on our downward spiral with no hope. but He didn't. He came, with a great cost.
if our goal is to be more like Christ, we can't check out. we can't wish to get away from it all and be done. i think it's never been more crucial to stay. to be light in dark darkness. to weep and mourn with those who weep and mourn. to be advocates. to fight for justice. to work hard to show people that there is good, there is hope. that people can still be trusted. that people can still be kind. to make more room at the table, and invite everyone. to tear down walls instead of put them up. it is crucial that we press on.
like my new favorite author said, "we can't deliver folks from their pits, but we can sure get in there with them until God does. live long enough and it becomes clear that stuff is not the stuff of life. people are." (jen hatmaker)
keep going, friend.
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