We are living in perilous
times. All around the world members of the human race are plotting and carrying
out new ways to afflict harm on innocent people. Daily we read about news
stories of mass shootings and suicide bombers destroying people and those connected
to them.
Even as I write this I
realize that tomorrow there will be new situations, new crisis, new shootings,
and violence that will fill our air ways. So on one hand, it doesn’t matter
when you are reading this; the same will apply to today’s news.
The more I read or listen,
the more my flesh wants to react like we did in the seventies by raging out or
protesting or some other form of verbal or physical outrage to combat that
which should NOT be taking place in our world.
And yet, the Bible has always
been clear that there would be days like these:
“But know
this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without
self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong,
haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of
godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Even
though it is what the Bible says, it isn’t enough to calm my flesh from rising
up. After all, I must do something! I find myself wanting to get on a soap box...
Yesterday,
I found myself in this state of mind after two weeks of police officers being shot
in two different cities, and a two year old killed in the cross fire from rival
gangs, and protests over another man shot by police after a random traffic
stop…
I
found myself starting to be led by my flesh until I stopped and listened to
what the Holy Spirit was saying. I found myself once again asking that there
must be something that I could do...
The
answer came deep in my heart; “Guard your heart” and “Don’t let a root of
bitterness spring up”.
I
recognized this as the voice of God because my mind recalled two passages of
scripture:
“Keep your
heart with all diligence, for out of
it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs
4:23)
“Pursue peace
with all people, and holiness,
without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall
short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause
trouble, and by this many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:14-15)
I
realized that what I was being called to do was not react in my flesh but to
guard the garden of my heart so that none of these sorrowful stories would
cause me to react in the flesh; which rarely ends up doing any good.
And
I was being called to pray:
“But I say to
you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, and pray for those who
spitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28)
Those two things would do
more to help those who are grieving and wanting justice. That would be more
fruitful than the alternatives.
So, what is growing in the
garden of your life?
What takes up the most amount
of space?
What occupies your time and
attention?
What has gained prime place
as your priority?
What is the chief outgrowth
and production in your life? *worthless weeds or eternal fruit?
All Scripture taken from the
New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
All rights reserved.
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