It feels like the world is in a tail spin. The ground beneath our feet seems to be constantly shifting. There are viruses and mandates. Debt ceilings and spending bills. And more lies and corruption than we can shake a stick at. I can get so caught up in the affairs of this world that I become frantic, searching for some way to make a difference. Too quickly I forget to be present where I am right now. Our lives were not meant to be lived behind screens and our hearts were not made to be intertwined with this world.
Time and time and time again in Scripture we see God’s people facing the insurmountable. Death, suffering, and persecution. Corruption and discrimination. Exiled and abused. They’re watching and waiting. Too often they are frantic, terrified, and short sighted. And God’s call to them, as it is to us, is to be faithful to God. To believe His promises. To stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord. To be faithful in whatever station of life God has called us to.
In truth, that’s how we effect change that will outlast our brief lives. That’s how we push back the darkness.
By going to work and working as unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:23)
By raising babies to know the one true God. (Psalm 78:4)
By loving those who hate us. (Luke 6:27-36)
By loving each other deeply. (1 Peter 4:8)
By breaking bread together. (Acts 2:46)
By putting God first in our hearts. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
By forgiving one another. (Colossians 3:13)
By worshiping our Risen King together. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
By proclaiming the Gospel to a lost and hurting world. (Matthew 28:16-20)
“Christian, what is your only comfort in life and death?
That I am not my own, but belong— body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to Him, Christ, by His Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for Him.
God does not ask us to transform the culture. God transforms hearts and minds to love Him. And God gives us faith to lay hold of His certain promises no matter what our circumstances look or feel like. That’s how we confound a watching world. When we live faithfully to God and look suffering, persecution, and even death square in the eye and say in our hearts that Jesus is worth it and His promises are sure. That’s how we bring glory to God. That’s how God uses us to effect change.
“Christian, what is the chief end of man?
To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
We don’t need to search for ways to change the world. We just need to live out our calling to live quiet and faithful lives (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
And when the world hates us, and they will hate us, know that they really hate Him. And walk away and rejoice because you were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name. (Acts 5:41)
Father I Know That All My Life
1 Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me; the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see: I ask thee for a present mind, intent on pleasing thee.
2 I would not have the restless will that hurries to and fro, seeking for some great thing to do or secret thing to know; I would be treated as a child, and guided where to go.
3 I ask thee for the daily strength, to none that ask denied, a mind to blend with outward life, while keeping at thy side, content to fill a little space, if thou be glorified.
4 In service which thy will appoints there are no bonds for me; my secret heart is taught the truth that makes thy children free; a life of self-renouncing love is one of liberty.
-Anna Letitia Waring, Trinity Hymnal, #444
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