Life in an Uncertain World (and What to Do About It)

Last updated on: December 3, 2015 at 8:48 pm by

Life in an Uncertain World (and What to Do About It) 2015-12-03T20:48:00-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Last night, Mom and I came home from the grocery store to find my back door swinging open. When we left, I had watched her lock and close it with my own eyes, so I was a little bit stumped – and unnerved – at why it might be open. The house appeared undisturbed. The door wasn’t damaged and there wasn’t any other evidence of forced entry. Still, an open door never makes me feel too welcome.

With arms full of groceries, we jumped back in the car and I called Andrew, thinking (hoping!) the door may have been ajar because he came home while we were out and didn’t get it locked well. But no such luck.

Given the fact that I’m writing this, you’ve probably gathered that all was well. We came to the conclusion that we simply didn’t get the door shut all the way, but given two recent shootings (one of which we had just heard reports on before we left for the store), I admit we were on guard more than usual.

These shootings are nothing new. I question why they’re happening so frequently, and though I don’t have all the answers, I know this: the answer is multifaceted: extreme Islamists, mental health issues, psychiatric drugs (over-prescribed!), and of course the “only evil continually” heart of man. These all play a part in what we are seeing flash across our screens like foreign tales – things that shouldn’t be taking place on our soil. No, we are the country that has it all together. We help others. We do not need help. We have our stuff together. We are the greatest, strongest country on the planet. We are where everyone else comes to “live the dream.”

What is this “dream” we so often speak of? Try and step out of our borders. If looking from afar, what would we see that would make us want to be here more than any other country?

The answer to that, in the past, has been freedom of religion, speech, etc. But what about now? What are people seeing in us that would make them want to come here? And what do they see about solutions that we can’t see ourselves?

Some days, I feel the “land that I love” dying before my eyes. And I ask … what can I do? What does an every day housewife/writer do about mass shootings, the terror of Islam, the beginning of Christian persecution, and a lackadaisical leader?

There will always be practical measures I can take: write my Congressman, learn to protect myself and others, stock up on every day material needs in case … in case what? A second civil war? The government decides Christians and/or Jews should be exterminated? What is practical and what is insanity talking? Is it insanity, or is it prudence coupled with a realistic realization that all we have may come to an end because of our country’s stubborn, rebellious heart?

I don’t read anything in Scripture that instructs us to spend enormous amounts of time, energy, and money on self-protection, self-care, and self-preservation. Practical measures are okay, in moderation. But what I mainly hear in Scripture is this:

Occupy until Jesus comes. And we do that by:

-Prayer.

-Making disciples.

-Caring for widows and orphans.

-Whatever else we think God might be calling us to through Micah 6:8.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Life, like my experience coming home last night, can be nerve wracking. Scary. Fear-full. That’s why we’ve got to focus and keep the main thing the main thing. We can’t afford to cower in fear, because fear takes large portions of time and energy that could be used for the valiant, kingdom work God has called us to.

So sure, we can do whatever necessary to feel reasonably safe and prepared, come what may, while living within our monetary means. But more importantly, we should keep on keepin’ on for the cause of Christ. Stay the course. And if there are only three words we take away from this post, let it be these:

Onward, Christian soldiers.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

November 3, 2015

For Christians Who Just Want Jesus to Come

Next Post

December 9, 2015 On Writing, Decorating, and Simplicity

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 May 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Gospel is written by a doctor?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John Mark Luke Matthew