I find myself at a crossroad in the society of today. Although I know the path to take, I am challenged to stay on that path seemingly at a constant pace. You see, I am surrounded by those that seem to only care about themselves and the rest of us are battling to just make it to the next moment. I find that those around me are not really concerned about those around them.
“6The wolf shall dwell with the lam, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7The cow and the bear shall graze; their your shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.” – Isaiah 11:6-7 (ESV)
I long for the time when I can feel safe in the presence of those that have been here to destroy. I am looking for the opportunity to be safe in the presence of all. Oh, what it would be like to walk without concern for my own well being.
Now I know what is thought as I go through this study, you have God and therefore you should not be concerned with what is going on in the world and should find solace in the life you have with Christ. Whereas that is true, I am a man and still have concerns for my own tomorrow and how I will continue to be able to do the work God has in store for me. The life I have here in this world is still in front of me and I am still bound to go through it.
I do feel safe in my afterlife, but my now life is not very safe at all. What would things be like if everyone cared as much for others as they do for themselves? I have to believe that we would find ourselves in a world where lions and lambs could lie together and rest. Where bears and cows will graze together.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached,
“44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” – Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
Here Jesus says that we should continue doing His work and for those that are not with us, we should be loving and praying for them that they might receive the word of God into their lives. We should be reaching to God and pleading for their salvation, knowing that only God can give it to them and it is up to them to accept.
I am hopeful, although not naive, that all will take the chance to meet with and accept the love that God has for them. In that, I also hope for the time when all can live together in harmony and in concert together in and for the Glory of God.
What if you were to accept the love God has for you? Would you be willing to live with all, regardless of their station? Would you be able to lie with those that have and will continue to persecute you?
Trevor's Thoughts 