A World Turned Upside-Down

The nuttiness quotient is very high these days. Talking heads tell us things that, in a saner time, we would have thought were part of a comedy routine. Unfortunately, they are dead serious, and don’t you dare laugh. It really is an upside-down world, where lies are held out as truth, hate masquerades as love, and the moral compass has been pulverized.

Here are just a few recent things that seem topsy-turvy to me: Closing down our oil production and then begging foreign countries to supply our fuel; Forcing American citizens to abide by restrictive and ever-changing health rules while deliberately admitting and then transporting thousands of unscreened illegals from our southern border to the interior; Allowing teachers to indoctrinate children with secularist and Marxist ideologies while shutting concerned parents out of school board meetings and canceling them on the Internet; Abandoning our position as a world leader for freedom while those who depend on us in places like Cuba and Afghanistan suffer.

Most tragically, ours is a culture that now openly condones the murder of babies – even when they are born alive after failed abortions. As our national and state legislators continue to weaken the laws that protect children in the womb, we become more like the pagan tribes of ancient Canaan, whose destruction by the Israelites was God’s judgement on their hedonism, idolatry and child sacrifice. I don’t think God’s opinion about those things has changed.

Freedom is a beautiful thing, but as Paul reminds the Corinthians, while freedom might give us “the right to do anything,” not everything we might choose to do is beneficial or constructive (1 Cor 10:23). Too many people today – including Christians – are using the freedom they enjoy as Americans, to choose things that are both harmful and destructive, personally and nationally. This is definitely upside-down from what a righteous God requires of us: “to act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Actions have consequences. If we don’t wake up soon, our actions as a nation and as individuals will ensure that America as we know it will not exist anymore.

Don’t be surprised that the world seems upside-down. We’re in the middle of a fierce battle for the hearts and minds of people: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) Our goal as believers in Christ is first, to avoid becoming lunch ourselves, and second, to see that those around us escape that fate. Thus, we have got to get better at praying. Diligently. Seek God’ s face every day. Study the Bible. Praise His holiness, give thanks for His protection, and ask for what you need. Put on that holy armor of God. When praying seems tough, follow Jesus’ instructions, and pray the way He taught His disciples in Matthew 6. Sometimes, when I’m out of sorts and everything seems impossible, I go to the local pool and swim laps, praying the Lord’s Prayer the whole time. The lifeguard probably wonders why I’m talking to myself under water.

I’d say it’s also time for believers - and churches - to shake off our lethargy and get involved. Support pro-life causes. Speak at school board meetings. Write to our legislators. Talk about Jesus with the people we meet. Start a Bible Study in the neighborhood. Volunteer at a Homeless shelter. You know all this, but sometimes it helps to be reminded, and to realize you’re not the only one trying to be a light for the Lord in an upside down world. May God bless you!

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Gal 5:13)

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Standing with you,

Carolyn