December 1, 2005

• joy

  Our nation just keeps getting more "orwellian". Well, actually the whole world does. But for an american like me who sees the great disparity in freedom and liberty between our nation and many other countries of the world (and very thankful for where I live...), it is... "noteworthy", to say the least, to see the sad slow decline of the nation.

  We "notice" and point out these points-along-the-way so that others will notice them too... and if enough people "notice" them / are "educated", perhaps the decline can be slowed. Or perhaps even more positive things might happen.

  But as those of us who are Christians know, this world is not our home. "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." (Heb. 13) We are "those who reside as aliens" here on earth... (1 Peter 1:1, 2:11) ...that is, we are citizens of heaven, and we are longing to go to our true home, which will be "far better" (Phil. 1:23). But we are temporarily here, and we have a job to do. (2 Cor. 5:19-20)

  So we (and more specifically, "I") are called to be salt and light here... influences-for-good, ambassadors, fishermen (I love the way God uses SO MANY metaphors to illustrate things in His word). But if, perchance, the nation and the world "go to pot" around us, we will not fear (I'm preaching to myself here...  ... we will not fear.  We will trust in God... that He has everything completely in control... that He is working this whole global/micro situation out for ultimate optimum beauty...  Some of us who are reading this  may indeed be martyred during the next few years, or perhaps we will live a "normal" life, raise the kids, retire, etc.  (one reason I mention martyrdom is that it often feels like affluent Christians around me don't notice all the people being persecuted around the world...)   ( aren't ellipses great?!  They're such an awesome punctuation... )  ( parenthesis are very cool too! )

  Bottom line:

  JOY awaits those of us who believe in Jesus...  Infinite, ultimate, incredible, all-surpassing, overflowing, eternal, JOY.

   

  Question - what makes you most happy / what are you most looking forward to?

  (that's a rhetorical question, but you can answer it if you want to...

  • 9:50 pm
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