A Call to Arms

Nearly 18 years ago I stood in my parents' kitchen as my dad held my newborn.  He asked me "How do you feel about raising a child in this world we live in?"

 It was something I had thought about all through my pregnancy. I answered "I'm scared.  I can't imagine a world that is crazier than it is now even though I know it will only get worse.  Some days I want Jesus to come back while she is still little so she won't experience all the horrible things in the world.  However, another part of me can't wait to see who she grows up to be and all that she will accomplish."

When I had a second child 5 years later the concern for their future, for the condition of the society we would leave them, had only grown. I have thought about that conversation many times over the last 17+ years; as we have indeed watched this world get crazier and crazier.

Earlier this week that little girl my dad held so long ago asked me, "Mom, do you think God would send me to Iraq?"  I waited for my heart to lurch, for the fear to creep in, but it didn't.  We had a conversation into the night about trusting the Lord's leadership, His plans, His will, His timing and more.

I think what if God called her to stay in the United States. What is it going to look like here in a few years?    I wonder what the life of a true Christian in the U.S. will be like in the coming years. I am confident there isn't a "safe" place anymore BUT, there is an almighty, all powerful God.

This morning I sit in my room and contemplate all that is going on in this world.  I especially think about all that is going on in my country.  I think about the hate, the lawlessness, the corruptness, the evil.  The lost.  The lost people acting like lost people.  I think about the growing persecution of Christians. I think about Christian brothers/sisters attacking each other instead of spreading the Gospel.

I am sure of very little these days.  A few things I am sure of:

• God hasn't stepped off His throne
• He IS good and in control
• Jesus is the ONLY answer for the turmoil this world is in
• He loves people
• His heart breaks for the condition of this world
• He doesn't want ANY person to perish without Him 
• He has called that girl of mine to tell people about Him and where He sends her He will go before her and with her.
• He wants Christians to get over themselves and get about the business of the Father

My heart is sad this morning. What I am asking myself is, "Am I sad because my comfort has been challenged or because there are lost dying and going to hell?" and "What am I going to do about it?"

I ask you the same questions.  Will politics, or gun control, or the state of society, or theology cause us to fight each other, or will it urge us to put on the armor of God and enter a Spiritual battle?