This world is a mess. There is no denying that fact.
My heart broke last night as I watched some of the rioting in Ferguson after the announcement of the grand jury’s decision.
It broke for the protesters who were burning cars, looting stores, and shooting guns. It broke for the parents of Michael Brown. It broke for Darren Wilson and his family. This incident changed all their lives forever. I’m not here to debate about whether or not the system failed, and who should or shouldn’t be blamed. I’m here to talk about us.
I see so many Christians pleading with God, wondering why He hasn’t come, asking for intervention, searching for signs of the end times. We have to stop doing that.
He has given us authority. If we are believers, His Spirit lives inside of us. If we were meant to just walk around the planet wondering when God is going to do something, then answer me this:
Why do we have the power of life and death in our tongue?
Why did God say people perish for a lack of knowledge?
Why would we reap what we sow?
Sounds to me like we’ve been given power and authority. This world is ruled by the devil. It’s his domain. We are basically living in Hell on Earth. Sin and death are all around us. We need to redeem the time and stop wondering when Christ is coming back. If we are praying for His return just for an escape from all this evil, then it’s all about us, and we’ve completely missed the entire point of the Gospel.
Jesus said to deny ourselves and follow Him. He didn’t sit around in fear, praying God would hurry up and beam Him back up into Heaven. He healed the sick. He gave hope to the hopeless. He fed the hungry. He raised the dead. He loved the unlovable. He left a legacy on this Earth that we are to follow.
Let’s quit being so Heavenly minded, that we are Earthly bummers.
Let’s be so Heavenly minded, that we are Earthly amazing, and people want what we have.
This reminds me of the line from Matthew West’s song, Do Something.
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”
We were created to manifest the image of God, which is total, complete, unconditional love. And it starts with the person standing right in front of us.
Stop waiting on God, and start becoming like Him.
Thanks Chris for this lovely post…being in the city of St. Louis right now is challenging but a challenge we also must rise to. Prayers and kindness from all over heals this situation as well as the many others facing us now.
Ferguson is on my mind….http://wp.me/p1o8z3-vM
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Chris, I love this post, and I agree with basically all of it. Although you know, from having read my most recent post, that I don’t agree we are living in Hell on Earth. Still, I take your basic point, and it is so true. Thanks for following me, and I plan to follow your blog now too!
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Beautifully said, Chris. I am Jewish, and I couldn’t agree with you more. It is up to us to do good, taking steps even when we know we can’t complete the task in our lifetime. Thank you for you insightful post.
~Audrey
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Your post reminds me of what Hindu scriptures say. We are all him. There is no him and us.It is him in us all the way. No God told us what to do or what not to do. However, every action will have a consequences. The only way out is to be aware of your own action.
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Reblogged this on Unwanted Visitors and commented:
Strong thoughts.
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Thanks for stopping by which allowed me to see this post. I love the thoughts that you’ve shared. Best wishes in all your endeavors, Melissa 🙂
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Thanks for following me. I’m interested to hear more …
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Yeah, so… this is perfect.
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Thanks for following my blog! May the Lord richly bless your endeavors.
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Reblogged this on Don't Leave Me With My Thoughts and commented:
This world is evil. Pure evil. It is up to us to make goodness out of those evil things. I agree that we have been given the power to do so.
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Thanks for following my blog and introducing me to yours. I send a link to your blog to my brother and his wife as I think they would enjoy it too. Peace.
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Reblogged this on daughterofthegreatiamdotco and commented:
I like the perspective you used- nice reflection
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Thanks for stopping by which led me here. Love your writing and your thoughts. Be blessed as you continue to bless.
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Thanks for stopping by which led me here. Love your writing and your thoughts. Be blessed as you continue to be blessed.
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Excellent message Sir. I fully agree that we have to do something other than wait, but every time I bring it up to another Christian, they start telling me I lack faith in our Lord, or I’m suffering from delusions of grandeur. Still I try. I’m not saying I’m anything special, I just think it’s time a few more people got off their knees, and started wearing out a little shoe-leather. The problems aren’t going to come to them.
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i tell people all the time that ask how our lord can let this happen to people that dont deserve it,like woman and children ,i tell them just like the lord gave you free will he gave the evil ones free choice and he will not stop that for any thing.how great he is to give us the choice to love him its not forced on us.and to remember that we all live in satan’s kingdom and be thankful for strife and pain because the reward last forever
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Great stuff! The last line really spoke to me and how at times we wait on God and we shouldn’t; He will come when He is ready. It is up to us to become more like Him so when He does come back, we will be ready! Keep up the good work.
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Excellent post, Chris! Very nice indeed.
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Love the last line!
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Chris,
You’ve conveyed so well what we should be about. We are extentions of God, created in His image, to be given to love and bring the Gospel message and loving kindness to those we encounter. Your emphasis on not waiting for God to come and save us from a disasterous world, I find, to be very crucial and even refreshing. After all, Jesus Christ commisssioned us to win souls for Him so they will be ready when He does come again, and commanded us to love one another. I always love reading your blog, Chris.
Betsy
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Reblogged this on Words I Live By….
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Reblogged this on .
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Thank u for sharing the Good News!
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Really?
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Thanks for stopping by. Not sure what you mean by your question though.
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See what I mean?
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Thanks for this, Chris. I’m at a crossroads of sorts, questioning lifelong beliefs, but your post shines through with beautiful clarity.
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Awesome. Thanks!
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Amen! Thank you for this, I didn’t realize I had fallen into this trap, but am now convicted.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Well said Chris!
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Thanks!
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GOD IS WAITING…..
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Yeah. Thanks for the kick in the rear.
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YES. Thank you for following me. Sincerely, thank you. I had a conversation with a friend early this morning about HOW DO WE CHANGE THIS…and we both concluded that it begins with us. It’s enlightening and hopeful to see that other people feel this way as well.
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Amen! Chris, amen, where is the next Martin Luther King Jr. ? Who died rather than condone violence! It takes one like you to stand and speak, and thank you!
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Amazing post. Timely precisely at a time when I have been longing for God the most. Thank you Chris.
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Why is it that we should hope God will change the world, rather than taking responsibility for it ourselves?
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Reblogged this on HAPLOGROUP – bit that makes us human..
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Well said sir!
I wish people would stop spreading false rumors and stiring trouble for personal gain.
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Humbling and inspiring words to read. Thank you for the reminder.
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Reblogged this on Fruits.
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