June 06, 2021
Greetings and blessings to all of you. We are living in very bizarre times that have produced massive fear and confusion. On top of that, our society is drowning in a sea of lies, lies about virtually everything. The lies on top of fear and confusion creates an almost fatal insecurity and a devastating chaos. We now have little confidence in believing what politicians say or what health officials say or what social activists say or what university professors say or what media says, or frankly what religious leaders say. And the lies continue. Even the most dedicated followers of Christ is likely to experience moments or seasons of hopelessness. Paul wrote about being burdened to the point of despairing even of life itself (2 Cor. 1:8) Yet Paul said this happened for a good purpose-so that he would learn to rely on God, rather than on himself. So, how should you and I as followers of Christ respond to this? Definitely not what I have been noticing among the Body of Christ. It appears that the media and the internet plus the fickle culture has scripted our conversations and our moods. Our comments and attitudes carry the same fearful and angry tone as that of those who do not share our faith. As a follower of Christ, we have thousands promises on how we should respond to this dark time. For example, in Rom. 8:28-39 “If God is for us who can be against us?...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution…? Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God.” And what about Isaiah 26: 15, “ You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” And the simplest promise in the Word of God is this…Psalm 23:1 “the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.” So, for us The Word of the Lord works its way into the lives of His chosen ones. So as responders to what Christ has done for us…and what He has given us: Wisdom, Purpose and Eternal life ..we should have HOPE. And because we know certain aspects about Christ we should live in confidence. We should KNOW that our eternal future will be much better than the things we want here and now; we should KNOW that our present problems really are temporary and not eternal (read 2 Cor. 4:17) and we KNOW that God knows His children and He has promised to care for us (read 1Peter 5:7). We have what the world does not …it is called HOPE it is called FAITH …in Christ.
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC