|
The Scripture tells us that the end times will be just like our times: full of challenge, full of grief, turmoil, fear and panic, hunger, economic downturns, “wars and rumors of wars…”
The insidious nature of rumors and gossip is that it creates its own war. People divide against friends, against family, against others with whom they have little or no relationship, based on the word of someone carrying a tale. Usually the tale is incomplete, out of context, or downright false, but the teller gains an audience. That, after all, seems to be what the talebearer wants most. An audience to give ear, to give affirmation, the opportunity to lift one’s self up higher than the one about whom the spoken sword is directed.
What a tragic, empty and totally non-purposeful life one has when all one can live for is the destroying of another for the purpose of self attention and personal gain. Yet this is the spirit that pervades our land—our nation, our communities, our homes, our television, our entertainment, and too tragically, our families and friendships. Repentance is called for!
The bitter complaint that fills our streets condemns us and calls us to our knees. The Scripture says “Happy is the people whose God is the Lord…” Where is the joy of living to destroy instead of living to encourage, to build up and to edify?
As Christians, it is our privilege and calling to be a strength and help to our brothers and sisters in Christ—even those with whom we may differ in perspective, persuasion and/or doctrine; it is our responsibility to lift up Jesus and be edifying in conversation and tone rather than give a tale of rumor and innuendo, and we are called to serve others rather than lift up ourselves. It is our joy to be a strength to our families and friends and help them come closer to Jesus rather than push them away with awful conversation and tawdry tales of half-truths or non-truths. It is our calling to be salt and light to the lost. How do we do that? By being DIFFERENT than the multitude of complainers, grumblers, and talebearers that seem to surround us. By repenting when we enter in to that spirit; by becoming ever more like Jesus Himself.
No wonder Jesus calls us to a life of praise, worship, and thanksgiving. It is Christ-like to pray, and especially to pray with thanksgiving. Today, turn your attention away from the negative, and turn your eyes upon Jesus.
The old song says,
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full of His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
If the rumors are against you, try to rejoice—they told tales against Jesus Himself as well. Even the worst talebearer against you can accomplish something good in your life. Let the pain, hurt, and even anger you feel drive you to your knees to pray and consider if there is something—anything—in the tale from which you can learn and grow to become more like Jesus. Though the word about you may be untrue, usually there are some areas in your life in which you can still change and grow. I know there are in mine.
These past many weeks we have been looking at the Book of Luke at The Door of Grace. The sermon Jesus preaches after coming down from the mount, having spent all night in prayer, after calling His disciples, after ministering to all who were gathered who needed healing and deliverance—is completely instructive. The crowds are all around Him and He delivers His message. Is it about warfare, the Army of God, the power and victory of the Believer? No—even though each of those topics is valid and biblical, Jesus’ message to those gathered is about Beatitudes—of our neediness, our need for humility, our need for God. If we will respond to Him, if we will come to Him in our needs, we will find God. Indeed, with a tender heart, we will reflect Him to others who may accuse.
Jesus said “pray for those who despitefully use you.” Jesus didn’t answer back to the accusers, but forgave them from a cross of intense suffering and pain. Difficult? To say the least! That’s why we need Jesus so much! In this time of fresh fears of war, turmoil and bitter complaint, let us instead be radiant and positive in our spirit—thankful, worshipful, and full of praise to our Jesus and encouragement to others. If we will exercise such a thankful heart in praise, we will minister the crucial life-saving antidote to “wars and rumors of wars…”
Praise, worship, thanks—now those are attitudes that will really make a positive difference!
|
|