In these tumultuous times in which we see global tensions and unrest of many kinds, and political strife from every angle, and economic angst, and fear of danger from here-there-and-everywhere… in such times, as followers of Jesus let’s just pause, and be still (Psalm 46:10), and look up (Psalm 27:4), and fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and remember who we are in Him.
If you are trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and the hope of eternal life (John 3:16), then you have been born again (John 3:3) and adopted into God’s forever family (Ephesians 1:5)! And in the grand scheme of things, the fact of our identity as children of God must be kept in view. We belong to the Maker and Master of all things; our destiny is glorious and secure!
And something else must be kept before us, namely, the fact that every other human who walks the face of this earth has also been made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27) with the capacity to know and trust and worship the Lord forever! Is that how you see your neighbors and co-workers, celebrities and homeless people, and folks all across the political spectrum from the reddest of the red to the bluest of the blue? We may be irked by that someone’s political stance—but we have to look deeper: the guy who drives you up the wall needs to hear the gospel and be saved!
Jesus gave his disciples, and the church down through the ages, a Great Commission: go and make disciples among all the people groups on earth (Matthew 28:18-20). Teach them to trust and obey King Jesus, giving him allegiance above all others. We’re sent as his witnesses right here at home and all the way to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). As the Father sent his Son into this broken world to love and lead the lost to their true eternal home, we too are sent as ambassadors of truth and love (John 20:21).
So, next time someone provokes you, look away, and look up at Jesus and ask him to shine his love for the lost through you!
