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.