For Such a Time as This

We are living in a complicated time.  You can’t go anywhere….physically, on TV, or online without being bombarded with stories, interviews, and opinions.  It is easy to feel pulled in all sorts of directions in an attempt to make sense of it all. 

I am quite literally living in the midst of the recent top news stories. This has given me many opportunities to evaluate for myself and to teach my children the facts surrounding these issues and what our responses should be. As a parent and as a teacher of History and Government, the events of the past couple of weeks have weighed heavily on my mind.  I didn’t want to just have an emotional, knee-jerk reaction, but I wanted to really think through how we ought to be handling these complicated issues.  After all, it is impossible to shield them from what’s going on.  The only seemingly positive thing lately has been the gracious, forgiving reaction of the families of the Charleston shooting victims.  But of course, along with that incident, the Confederate Flag flap has reared its ugly head.  And then, we have the landmark Supreme Court ruling on the issue of same-sex marriage.

I am not here to debate any issue.  I just want to make some observations.

•       It seems the common thread in all of this controversy is that a minority is able to control the majority….which goes against the very definition of democracy. 

•       In many cases, minority factions absolutely REFUSE to acknowledge that there could be another viewpoint.  Why does your minority have more rights than another?

•       I do not equate the disagreement over the Confederate flag with disagreement over the Supreme Court decision.  The fact is that the flag really does mean different things to different people.  It just does. Having one or being in favor of it in no way means you are directly violating the laws of God.

•      We all need to be careful of jumping on and off bandwagons as new stories/issues come to light.  Take your time and evaluate what’s happening from a “zoomed out” lens, not a microscope.

•       Everything should pass through the filter of God’s Word

I wanted to share with you some things that I have found comforting from the Bible in light of what is happening in our world--especially as it relates to a governmental system that is seemingly departing from its original design or intent. 

From Esther…

In Esther 3:15 it says, The posts went out (notifying the people of the king’s decree to kill the Jews), being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city Shushan was perplexed.

Perplexed.  I would say that describes how I’ve felt lately.

In the next chapter, Mordecai tells Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

As Christians, how can we hold our peace? 

From 2 Timothy…

Our pastor mentioned this briefly in his sermon last night, and it got me thinking.  This book contains Paul’s last instructions (that we know about) to Timothy.  They were living under the rule of the Roman empire….under Nero, who was CRAZY!  It was not a pleasant time to be a Christian.  I encourage you to read the entire book in light of what is going on in our country presently.  It’s only 4 chapters, so it won’t take you long.  Here are some highlights:

Chapter 1

⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

⁸ Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

⁹ Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

¹⁰ But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

¹¹ Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Chapter 2

¹⁹ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity

²³ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

²⁶ And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Chapter 3

¹³ But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

¹⁴ But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

¹⁵ And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Chapter 4

¹ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

² Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

⁴ And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

⁵ But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

God’s not shocked.  He is in control.

Don’t be distracted by all that you see, hear, and read. 

Stand fast in the truth of God’s Word.

We are here for such a time as this!

Roller Coaster Rides

Roller coasters have been a frequent topic of conversation in our house lately.  Last week, Matt joined Carson on her 6^th grade end-of-the- year trip to Carowinds.  Two days later, Zane was also able to visit the same amusement park.  (For those of you who haven’t heard of it, Carowinds is an amusement park in Charlotte, NC—not too far from us.)  The biggest attraction at Carowinds right now is their new roller coaster called The Fury.  It is an incredible ride—billed as the world’s tallest and fastest coaster.  (If you are really interested, you can search for videos online to see for yourself.)

Personally, I love roller coasters!  I LOVED going to Six Flags as a teenager and riding anything and everything.  As an adult, we’ve just never really gone to an amusement park. I’ve never really thought about why, but now I think I know.  Matt hates them.  He went with Carson on this trip, and the most daring thing they rode was 2 kiddie roller coasters.  He also enjoyed riding the carousel. Apparently, roller coasters are just not his thing, and although Carson looks just like me, she gets this same trait from him.  Zane, on the other hand, is my coaster lovin’ child.  He got to Carowinds and the very first thing he did was ride the world’s tallest and fastest coaster—The Fury.  That’s my boy!!

Well, I didn’t get to go to Carowinds this past week, but I had a roller coaster experience of my own.  It was called “The Last Day of School”.  I’m really not sure that I can adequately express all that I felt, but I’m going to try.  It is the end of the school year.  I am exhausted.  It is so nice to spend this weekend NOT doing lesson plans.  These past couple of days have been spent working in an empty classroom.  I love the quiet, yet I miss the conversations and the laughter that comes when the students change classes.  

Yesterday morning we had our awards program.  Afterwards, my 7^th graders came to me to get their report cards and then….that’s it.  They are off for the summer.  Did I tell them everything I should have?  Not about science or math, but about God, about life.  

Then there were others that I know will not be back next year.  Did I give them anything that will last a lifetime?  

Then there are the seniors.  Graduation was last night.  You would have thought my very own children were graduating.  I was prepared with many tissues.  I can’t help it.  I love these students!  As annoying and trying as some of them can be sometimes, I love them!  

So, I’ve been on this “HAPPY, sad, ENERGETIC, tired” roller coaster over the past few days.  When all is said and done, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  God has graciously given me the desires of my heart, and I am working my dream job.  Really.  

I’m so thankful for the lessons learned, and that I can rely on God for the strength and wisdom needed for this ministry of teaching.  I’ll enjoy my couple of months of down time, but I’m already thinking about next year and the next thrilling roller coaster ride.