I usually refrain from writing about political matters for two reasons. One, the purpose of my blog is to point people to Jesus (not to politics) and two, when I think about what is going on in our country it makes me want to wrap my head in duck tape to keep it from exploding.
But these days I can’t escape the chaos that is currently rearing its ugly head all over the planet – and particularly in the good ‘ol U.S. of A. Pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV and you’ll find yourself wandering down Confusion Street or Fearful Avenue. And I quite frankly don’t like wandering down those streets – at all.
College students protesting their schools’ administrations. Terrorists killing innocent people. Citizens rioting over perceived and real racial biases. It’s enough to make anybody freak out and become a doomsday prepper, loading up on prepackaged meals, gold bars and a whole lotta ammunition.
So you may find it difficult this Christmas season to sing Fa-la-la-la-la while the country burns down around you.
Yet as Christians, that is exactly what we are called to do. While I don’t suggest all my Christian brothers and sisters break out in song (‘cause that would scare a lot of nonbelievers if they heard my version of Angels We Have Heard on High) I am suggesting that we who have hope eternal spread that good news to those who are freaking out over what they see happening all around them.
Our country is crying out for clarity, for wisdom, for hope. And we Christians CANNOT let fear stop us from living our lives. We CANNOT get depressed over who holds an office or who doesn’t hold an office. We CANNOT give up hope that we can make a difference in this scared, confused world.
Jesus says this to you and to me: “You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before men…” (Matthew 5:14-16) Simply put, we are called to be the light in this dark, dark world.
And how do Christians do it? How do Christians get up day after day, face the chaos the world is throwing around and be a light? How do we keep on smiling, serving and encouraging through it all?
By knowing, believing and sharing this truth: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
Our world needs to hear that truth. People need a hope that supersedes the many scary issues they face every day. People need security in a world that is anything but predictable, and there’s only one way to experience true peace – through a relationship with the Savior of the World.
So this Christmas season, share hope with someone around you. Use whatever gift God has placed in you (because he’s placed unique gifts in all of us) to share the hope that is found in Jesus – the hope that can only be found in the baby born in a manger all those years ago.