These last three weeks have been very peaceful.
May I confess to you that I’ve watched no news and have read nothing but the (sometimes depressing) sports pages during that time? You might say I’m simply burying my head in the sand but I’d say I’m trying to bury my heart in God’s perspective. Hence I have experienced a blessed peace in the midst of social and political upheaval and division.
On a number of fronts I think most of us are experiencing the angst of turmoil as the world’s system creeps into our society and the lives of friends and family. While I might have a lot to say on the perils of mixing faith and politics, I’d rather focus on what Jesus has to say about how we respond as His children to the challenges of increasing secularism and its polarizing outcomes.
In Luke 6:27-38, I think Jesus must have also had His 21st century followers in mind when He talked about how to respond to the “enemy” of secularization. For those who are advocating secular philosophies, Jesus said, “Don’t judge them. Love them.” For those who have fallen into the trap of moral compromise applauded by the world, Jesus said, “Bless them.” Wow, those are challenging words!!
It appears that the day is coming when we believers will face an even greater frontal assault from the increasingly secular society in which we swim. In this case Jesus says, “If someone takes your cloak, don’t stop them from taking your tunic.” Again this is such a counter-intuitive command and not the way we might seemingly win a battle.
But my “news fast” is allowing me to put a growing arm’s length between my political leanings and concerns and revealing to me an even greater comprehension of the power and application of Jesus’ words in the Luke 6 passage. It’s also allowing me to gain even greater appreciation for the beautiful news of the Gospel. It’s quite something, isn’t it? Whether in Europe or increasingly so in America, our greatest gift and our most profound strategy is simply to let the incredible light and love of Christ shine in the darkness.
As we dream of and pray for spiritual awakening in Europe it’s such an encouragement to know that God’s answer is at hand. Following the lead of Jesus’ words in Luke 6, we know that righteousness will prevail.
So while I keep the news of the world at arm’s length, I experience the growing power of the Good News and trust God to work through me in my family, among my friends and in an increasingly secular world. I’m happy to bury my head in the sand if it helps keep my heart buried in Him.