Today we stand as a divided body of Christ in one of the most imperative times for the global church. Worldwide, the church of Jesus Christ sits in as great a financial position as it ever has and a generation of young believers who comprehend relationship over religion is in the midst. But the critical time among us includes some of the greatest causalities in history. Terrorism continues to grow. The AIDS epidemic continues to wipe out areas of our world. Poverty leaves around two billion people in the world without food and water on a daily basis. The orphan percentage is increasing exponentially and in some places of our world children are being murdered for population control. Racism continues to be a dividing factor throughout the world we live in. And all the while we are living in an age where post-modernism rules our line of thinking. Undoubtedly it is leading us towards autonomy. Our world continues to determine there is no definite conclusion if we can’t tangibly, and logically, confirm one. A worldwide philosophical mindset is already developing which infers life’s answers lie within our own perceptions, in turn, concluding there are multiple definite answers; but by all logical law, that is merely impossible. Our world attempts to take matters into their own hands because we have come to believe our advancements are more valuable, and more effective, than any divine encounter.
We live in a broken world, and nothing can change outside of an unending release of unconditional love. We must choose to live the love. We have a choice to make, and all pressure or obligation aside, it is a quite imperative decision indeed. With all the resources at hand, with the power of God on our side, what will we do? Can we choose to come together despite the slight differences in our theology? Can we take our diversity and relentlessly pursue kingdom unity considering we have been allotted the greatest tool for relational stability this world has to offer? Will we pursue a different mindset from the surrounding world? Can we learn to see our own inadequacies within another’s? Will we fight for the freedom of humanity? Can we exemplify the intuitive, empirical and existential aspects of truth that assist to validate reality alongside logic?
OR will we continue to be believers who refuse to think and see through the lens that the outside world looks through, unconsciously choosing narcissism? Will we continue to market ourselves through huge churches, nice assets and comfortable lives? Are we going to remain a split body due to differences in backgrounds and lifestyles? Will we continue refusing to acknowledge that Jesus is the connecting piece of the body? Will Grace continue to be displayed as conditional? Will we exemplify satisfaction in condemnation of humanity through or lack of willingness to sacrifice our time, money and energy? Should we continue driving our high price vehicles, and living in our expensive homes as millions of our fellow brothers and sisters fail to find resources to survive? Will we sit back and watch as the world runs rampant?
We have a choice to make, my friends. We must choose to offer our ordinary to the extraordinary. Overwhelming, it may seem. Darkness undoubtedly has found its place in our world; the darkness looms. We all experience it at times. We doubt that we could really change anything. We experience doubt, fear and discomfort; we feel inadequate to change the world we live in. But it is necessary that in the midst of these issues we are reminded that Jesus is the light of the world. And we all have a little light to shine. Like a lamp or fire leads us at night, Jesus too will lead us through the dark. But not only will we be led out, the way too will be lit. No longer will we have to walk in darkness; and everywhere we go will light up due to the presence we walk in. All we have to do to bring light to the darkness is activate our source of such. Your light will then bring perspective for the surrounding world to see what it looks like to shine.
We are the liberators, but we must choose to be such.
We must choose to stand firm in our fight. A mad man is on the loose. A mad man is at work. Most will tell you to be careful, not to step across certain boundaries; and, of course, your safety may be much more secured within those boundaries. The sad thing is, people don’t realize that’s right where the mad man wants you. So stand firm, my friends, for you must guard yourself. When he attacks, he aims for destruction. It is mighty important that we are on-guard at all times. The mad man, indeed, is mad; he is a genius of disguise. He does his research; he knows how to get to your mind. That is, only of course, if he succeeds in remaining incognito. Once exposed, the mad man becomes vulnerable. This is why we must stand, and stand firm at that. We must march across boundaries in awareness. We must fight with the powers we have been given: peace, hope, joy, love and grace.
And always keep in mind, the mad man is only as productive as you allow him to be. His greatest madness, is your desire. His greatest asset, is your safety. His most imperative quality is your lack of awareness.
And so we stand.
But what will we do?
