Tag: politics

Gratitude Eclipsed

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

 

Hot weather engulfing wide swathes of our country this week stir my thinking about how we are engulfed and swayed by the immediate and often lose sight of what is really important. When the heat and humidity soar we are preoccupied with how to stay cool. We find conversations everywhere focused on the communal misery of the oppressive heat. When you are enduring triple digit heat and 99% humidity, thinking about anything else is truly difficult.

It seems the same with our political climate this past year (has it been that long already?!). The waves of words and crashing craziness combined with world events that seem careering out of control have swamped me, and I imagine many others, with a high tide of anxiety about life. It has caused me to lose sight of what is true, beautiful and lovely.  I have often not noticed the beauty of daily blessings.

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Our garden is being particularly lovely just now but there I sat in my chair, staring at it all, busy mulling morosely over the political debacles unfolding, instead of praising my Creator for such a joyous panorama.

I am in good health and, shame on me, I have failed to thank Him for that good gift today. God has put so many people in my life who are delightful. I have failed to thank Him for each one. And to compound it, I have taken them for granted failing to let them know how much I love them.

He provides a comfortable and safe home for me and given me so much to do that I have grumbled about my “overload-ness” and complained about my stress. What a shame that I have not stopped to thank Him for the talent, training, time and space to do what I love. I love caring for my husband and mother. I love being able to do laundry and hang sheets on the line to dry. I love being able to cook and eat tasty food. I love being able to lie down and sleep in peace and safety. I love being able to draw and paint and make beautiful letters with my pens.  Oh, this list could go on a long time!

God is so good to me. And how have I repaid Him? With careless ingratitude stirred with sinful anxiety. I think the best antidote to this situation is a fresh reflection on Philippians 4: 4-8.

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Perplexing Political Problems

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

There are two people running for the highest office in our land. I am utterly horrified at the criminal activities and immoral stances of the one, and the boastful, careless and immoral behaviors of the other. How can I as a Christian, in good conscience vote for either one? I am perplexed. There is no parallel in Scripture for the situation that faces our nation. But I believe we can know what to do in November and today, and tomorrow and the next day.  Here is how I think that is possible.

First: pray for wisdom (James 1:5).  This requires spending time reading His Word.  You need to read in other places than Daniel and Revelation in an effort to “know the times and the seasons” Act 1:7 to the exclusion of seeking to “know Jesus” 2 Peter 1:3. You need to read other places than just a verse or two that accompanies a daily devotional booklet. (That is like eating one saltine cracker in the morning and thinking it will suffice for all your nutritional needs for the day.)  You need a well-rounded understanding of who God is and what His thoughts are. That requires time and diligent effort. Read Isaiah 55:6-13 for a powerful encouragement. This passage will give you some helpful perspective.

Wisdom doesn’t come in one “ahha!” moment that is a specific answer once-and-for-all solution. Gaining wisdom is a lifelong process. But God has promised to lead those who keep seeking Him. No time spent reading His Word is wasted. EVER!

Seek the LORD while He may be found...

Second: realize we live in a time that, to us, looks utterly out of control. But God is still sovereign and is working out His plan. He says in His Word that He will deal with boasters, liars, and wicked people of every kind. Read the first 5 Psalms. This is a short but very comforting read!

Third: don’t throw up your hands and just fatalistically say, “I can’t do anything about the political mess and God is going to rapture me out of here and I won’t have to deal with it anyway…” That is not what Scripture says about the end times… but that is another conversation altogether.

Fourth: remember we are not given directions now for our actions in November. We must keep thinking, keep praying, and keep reading. We must keep expecting God to lead us because He has promised over and over to show us the way to walk. When the time comes, the Spirit will superintend our decision. In the meantime, we need to walk quietly with our God. We need to walk in the Light He has given. We need to keep reading and seeking to know Him because He is our wisdom. He is our Peace. He is our Shepherd. His being our Good Shepherd is His promise to lead us in the perfect path at the perfect time. He knows! We don’t. Trust Him.

Keep asking for wisdom. Keep seeking to know Jesus and then trust God to guide your thinking. He is faithful and will give the wisdom, reveal Himself to you and lead you in the way you should go.