Living In A Time Such As This

I am pondering the events that have unfolded over the last few months, and I am involuntarily thrust into deep reflection. What is most concerning for me as I reflect is the world my children will live in if the Lord tarries. A world we have never experienced before and are learning to navigate daily. We are in a season in which we are learning to survive on a day to day basis when it is in our nature to want to be in control. What I feel when I think about this season is so hard to describe. I am literally lost for words to describe this darkness we have stumbled upon that is marked with so much unrest and emotional entanglement.

There is so much conflicting information coming from every corner of the Earth, and it is all jumbled and becoming noise. How do you decipher what you are hearing? All the noise now have people on edge. There is just a thin thread of tolerance that is holding humanity together. There is no-one to trust. We have so many questions, so many unanswered questions. Are these signs the beginning of birth pains? There are no constructive answers coming forth from the systems of men. There is little or no love to spare. In a time when we should be coming together as a race called People, there is a vast chasm between us because of our differences.

People are pursuing their selfish desires at any cost, but again isn’t selfishness a characteristic of the flesh? People are hurting deeply and will not be comforted by their fellow humans because humanity is in panic mode. It is an every man for himself mentality that is being employed in these times. The changes that are taking place are so toxic; it is like they are meant to snuff out whatever good there is that is left in all of humanity. The heart of men is indeed waxing cold. This waxing is so dangerous though, because when we are shutting down our hearts to function or to survive, are we leaving an entrance for the King of Glory to enter into our lives?

There are internal conflicts in the lives of many individuals because we are living in a time that is characterized by uncertainties. People are afraid of setting goals and making long term decisions. We have no idea what to expect tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. It is like our hands are tied. The uncertainties are like a mental blockade, it appears there is nowhere to turn. It does not matter the direction you turn, there are signs saying ‘What If ?’ ‘What If?’ ‘But this,’ ‘But that.’ Because of the confusion, we hear “Wait,” “Not yet,” “Hold on.”What are we waiting for? These days seem as though they are characterized by hoping for the best and dreading the worst. People are afraid of losing their loved ones, their homes, their jobs and overall independence.

After deep reflection on the season we are in, I am still choosing to stand my ground as a child of God and you should do the very same. I am declaring continuous peace over my spirit in the name of Jesus! I command the storms raging in my mind to be still in the name of Jesus! I was not called to chart my own course, but I was created for a purpose. According to the Living Word, it is my lot to live and occupy until my saviour sees fit to take me home.

As Christians we are instructed by the Living Word to “Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall We be clothed? for our heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of all these things.” (Matthew 6: 25-33) As I subject everything I am to The Holy Spirit, the Comforter has taken me to Matthew 24 which basically outlines the signs that we are to look out for as the beginning to the end (please read Matthew 24). Signs which will usher in the King of Glory and I am comforted in knowing that what is taking place in our world was foretold and must be manifested.

What is unfolding In the world today is just the beginning of what is to come. But as children of the Most High we have promises in the unchanging word to hold on to.

Some people will probably find my stance a little absurd, but God has never failed me before, so I have grounds on which I am placing my trust in Him.

As I allow the Holy Spirit to comfort me, I acknowledge that tomorrow is not promised to anyone. I am all for living a happy and meaningful life what ever that might look like in this season, but in all our planning, let us ensure that we are looking after most importantly, our soul and where we will spend eternity. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon Earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

The pressure of the unknown that this season is characterized by is not ours to carry; it will rob us of time we are to spend with our loved ones. The pressure will affect our overall health. What we need to know is that God is omnipresent. He is in our past, present And future no matter what they look like. He is working out all things for our good.

For us as Christians, we need to remember that our God said in His words that times and seasons are in His hands. Ultimately His agenda supersedes all. We have to hold to this promise not turning to the left or right. He has plans to prosper us, give us hope and a future.

As I ponder, I feel a heaviness for people that do not know God, have no hope and are being tossed aside by every wind? People that do not know what eternity holds for them. At least as Christians, we have hope of a future. Let us continue to pray for people to come into an understanding of who Jesus is now more than ever.

In these challenging times remember it is ok to hurt but do not stay down. Disappointment is inevitable, but discouragement is a choice.

Let us not get so self-centred that we cannot help a brother or sister that is being pounded by the Heavy waves that are upon us. We are to reach out to people now more than ever. The world is not like we knew it and might never be again. Be a light in the darkness. Be the salt of the Earth.

People will ask where God is in all of this. I say He is where He has always been – In control, working out all things for our good.

God did not promise that we would have it easy, but He said He would be with us through the fire.

As we continue to live and occupy, waiting for the will of God, here is a list of activities you can engage in to keep your mind positively active and at peace.

1. Invest time into your relationship with God.
2. Spend time with people you love telling them about God if they do not already know Him as their Lord and Saviour.
3. Read
4. Journal
5. Start a hobby you dreamed of learning.
6. Let us have discussions with our children about God, expressing that He is the only stable place.
7. Pray for the salvation of unsaved acquaintances.

Some Promises of God

1. Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
2. Deuteronomy 31:8 “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.”
3. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
4. Psalm 32:8 “will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
5. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
6. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
7. Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
8. Psalm 91:3 “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.”
9. Philippians 4:6-9 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Remember: We serve a God that is not caught off guard. He does not slumber nor sleep. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him.