Hope in Exile

I've been interested in the theme of living in exile. The Israelites lived in exile for most of their history. As children of God, we've always been in exile since being expelled from the garden. In the book "Catholics in Exile," by Scott Hahn and Brandon McGinley, I've found some good insight. One sentence I read really hit hard, "How dare we give in to despair over our own dark cultural decline when our fathers is faith could only greet Jesus Christ from thousands of years away, and yet lived in faith and hope." 

How dare I despair this age we are living in? God is in control, even in the mist of chaos. Where is my faith? As Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:1, "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which was against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

I've become soft growing up in a county that was mainly Christian and founded on Christian values. All I had to do was go to church, and even that is too much at times. I worry we're losing our Christian majority nations and culture, but this is when God does his best work. His Light shines brightest in the darkness. Faith and hope is what is needed, not fear and worry. I'm not getting out my "The End is Near" clapboard, but I think it's time to gird your loins, like it says in Ephesians 6:14 "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth." It's time to armor up with the righteousness of God.

God give me strength and hope in my exile from my true home. God is, and has always been, good.

To serve or save

There is an ad on TV that has generated lots of talk lately. It's one I noticed previously, but since "the big game" it's message has gone viral. I must admit, it made me cringe when it first came on. It seemed to make Jesus into a savior I'm unfamiliar with. I wondered why it made me cringe, but having Jesus's name on TV during big events is good, right? I will not complain about more Jesus. The world could use more Jesus. But is this Jesus? I agree that Jesus washed his disciples feet, but he also drove out money changers for the temple and had harsh words for the Pharisees. Jesus as I know him came to save, not to conquer governments or be political at all. It was like an advertisement was trying to tell me who Jesus is, but they really didn't know themselves. Yes, he healed, he loved, he gave himself for all of us. But you can't get to Jesus without accepting his grace and turning from sin. He didn't preach tolerance. Not at all. He met and ate with lost sheep for those were the ones he came to save. Wash feet, yes. Serve those in need, yes. Tolerate sin, no. When Jesus healed or forgave, his message was, go and sin no more. When I first understood grace, like really understood the gift I was given, all I wanted to do was serve Jesus and save the lost. I wanted everyone to go to heaven and experience the beautiful gift of salvation. But I know that can't be done by tolerating or loving sin. It's impossible. If these ads bring the lost souls to Jesus, I will rejoice. I don't have an answer whether this ad is good or not. All I know is it was hard to watch, like anything I see or hear that goes against the spirit.  In comparison, when Mark Wahlberg's "Hallow" ad came on and he was praying, I rejoiced. I literally yelled "Amen" at the screen. That is telling in itself.  

"God made him who hd no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God," 2 Corinthians 5:21

New Year, New Hope

I have hope for this new year, 2024. I feel it welling up inside. It's not a hope anyone has given me. It's not for the upcoming election, or wars that come and go. It feels distant, but real. I pray each day with gratitude for the new day, because this is His. All of it. There's nothing I can do to fix anything, even myself. God can. He can fix it all. My goal is to be part of the that, His work. An imperfect instrument made whole in His hands. 

What can I do? Little things are left to me. The smiles and hellos to neighbors and strangers. The encouragement I can bring when all is dark and hopeless. 

"The light shines in the dark, and the darkness cannot overcome it," John 1, Vs 5.  

I think back to the days of Jesus, when there was so much darkness, even the Jewish leaders had fallen into selfishness and greed. Jesus came not to conquer the government, or the world, but to conquer the heart of man. This love and sacrifice worked for centuries, spreading and growing, creating a better life for all with orphanages for abandoned children, hospitals for the sick, schools to share knowledge and the command to love your neighbor as yourself and spread civilization worldwide. Here we are with this knowledge and hope, but the world is once again growing darker. The churches themselves are more focused on pleasing man than God. But the light, the light never goes out. It can only grown stronger as the world grows darker. That is my hope.