A Changing World

       

            I was reading a news headline recently about a girl who overdosed on heroin.  The mother was writing that her daughter was not a “junkie.”  She was a professional—a law student who tried it once as an undergraduate and swore she’d never do it again.  But the drugs have an addictive power that rules over common sense or desire.  Ten years after that first “try” she overdosed. 

            Our world is changing so fast it makes our heads spin.  There are so many ‘undefined evils’ around us, it’s scary! As I write the word ‘scary’ I couldn’t help but sigh.  We are almost on Halloween.  The one day of the year everyone, even those who don’t believe in the occult will dress up in all sorts of costumes to ‘trick or treat.’

            I remember as a little girl wearing a decorated, brown paper bag over my head for the event.  We didn’t have any other costumes but that worked!  My sister and I with parents in tow, went into our community and collected Halloween candy, and it was fun!  Now the holiday isn’t always fun.  There are those who would choose to use it to trick instead of treat, and the tricks can be cruel.  The costumes aren’t always the fun super heroes, but horrible monster ones that creep me out even as an adult!

            As parents the last thing we want is our children to get involved in drugs.  The mom of the young woman I read about above mentioned that as parents they were not involved in drugs, and tried to do ‘all the right things’ in raising their daughter.  They were the parents who went to all the sports events she was involved in, encouraged her in academics and supported her decisions regarding her future.  Yet, somehow, the world’s evils still stole their precious little girl.

            No one is exempt from the claws of satan.  He and all his demons are all around us in all types of guises.  He’s the master deceiver and uses every ploy imaginable to steal our children.  As I view young people totally engrossed in video games that kill and destroy everything around them in order to conquer, I shiver!  But the music that plays over the radio waves and TV shows or movies frighten me even more.  

            Back ‘in the day’ even when someone was killed, they didn’t show all the gore and such that goes with that.  Our TV shows are much more reality driven!  They ramp up the gore to make it more engaging, but even our news broadcasts often will display graphics of these kinds.  It seems to be the ‘thing’ that increases ratings!  

            On top of all this is how the ‘occult world’ is penetrating our lives all around, even into our elementary schools as mentioned in a previous blog.  I believe it’s a real truth that our world is spiraling out of control!  A friend said recently, “We’re living in Revelation!”  She’s right.  Christ will be coming back soon.  The signs get clearer and clearer.  How much more will He allow before he says “Enough!” And as in the days of Noah, make it all come to an end?  I believe it’s going to be soon.

Elephant In The Room

            

          Elephants are fascinating creatures and have quite the history!  Their massive size and huge tusks make them somewhat formidable when faced against a human!  I think that’s why when I see them being led by animal trainers in a circus or even in a zoo, I become a little overwhelmed!

            There are all kinds of symbolism across the world regarding elephants.  They are supposed to promise good luck and longevity.  Add the color white, which make a stunning animal, given how rare they are, legends will tell you they project power, purity, peace and are even considered sacred in some circles.

There is an expression, “there’s a white elephant in the room.”   This expression implies there is something in the “room” which is incredibly costly, yet totally useless.  An example of this might be planning a climb up Mount Everest, but being totally unable to carry out the plan because of training, health problems or funds. The conversation, while a huge desire, ultimately must turn to the reality of the situation, which is; the plan, regardless how carefully thought through, cannot be carried out.

In some regards, I can’t help but think about Christ in this situation.  There are those in our culture today who consider Jesus and those who believe in Him through faith, as being the “white elephant in the room.”  In their minds, they are uncomfortable with the passion Believers exude in God, and think it totally implausible that this is the Believer’s reality.

Recall Christ hanging on the cross.  The Believers knew Jesus didn’t deserve to die there.  He, like the elephant symbolism, offered peace, projected power and was sacred.  Yet He was chosen to sacrifice his life and take on the sins of the world, including yours and mine.  This kind of love is not only rare but unique.

His sacrifice was costly, (although not useless!) and brought sadness and grief to those who witnessed the event.  Yet those who were part of the angry crowd, looked at Jesus as being anything but pure, powerful or even sacred. He was different from what the ‘general population’ perceived as right, even though they’d been waiting for the Messiah for hundreds of years.  They couldn’t see how this man could possibly be the Messiah—or even sacred!  There was a tangible hostility in the air.  

As I reflect on our society today, it isn’t that much different.  While we’re not witnessing a person hanging on a cross, there are instances of pure hatred, rejection and persecution of those who believe in Jesus Christ.  In some areas there are physical instances of pain and abuse and even death for those who believe.  This began happening following the resurrection and continues in the world around us.

Consider even being the only Believer in a room of unbelievers. Depending on geography, this could be a death sentence to the one who Believes,  On the other side, if there are Believers meeting, The Holy Spirit is totally capable of letting the Believers in the room know, there is someone false in the room. They may even be led to pray fervently for the person, and yes, it can absolutely make a difference.

We, as Believers, while perhaps not "the elephant in the room”--certainly can create hostility, given our culture that is spiraling downward every day.  It’s time we begin fervently praying for God’s intervention, in our lives, our communities and in our world.  It’s not going to be long before Jesus returns.  Are we ready?

  

Picture credit:  https://www.freeimages.com/search/elephant