No doubt, facebook has changed the temperature of community. Now everything we think ends up in black and white on a screen. We no longer have to think BEFORE we speak. We have to think BEFORE we type.  Unfortunately, few of us take the time to slow down enough to think.  And some of us suffer the consequences from the intolerant world where we reside.

As I look at our society today I am in disbelief at how diverse the body of Christ has become. Unity is far from what Jesus intended for his body. Being right has trumped being loving.  Being responsible has taken on an entirely new job description.  

The last couple of years have been a roller coaster in the christian community as we cautiously navigated our way through the political season. Every day it seems to get worse as people passionately declare what they deem to be their responsibility to speak forth. We hear so many different opinions and views that it can keep us sidetracked from the important things in life as we try to figure out what WE really think about each topic.  The topics can be as complex as the treatment of refugee’s to the loyalty or disloyalty to God if we go watch the upcoming movie, “The Shack.”

There’s a song that I heard as a little girl that keeps coming to mind this morning. “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin through.” Scripture tells us that as believers our citizenship is in heaven and we are to keep seeking the things above where we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies. (Col. 3)  You see, Jesus gave us the answer to the delimna of getting caught up in a world that is heaping on the fear and anxiety. He took us to the cross with Him when He died on Calvary. (Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6). Therefore, He made us a new creation In Him and the Bible tells us that He is our peace.  Peace is a person!  He tells us He has made us complete In Him. He tells us we are deeply loved and totally accepted In Him. He tells us that He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.  He has ALL things under His control!  So I believe, in the day and time that we live, it is crucial to keep our eyes on Him more than ever.

Believers have always been diverse when it comes to beliefs and practices thus the reason for denominations.  It seems today the word heresy get’s thrown around often and judgements fly like rapid fire as we rate every opinion of speakers and authors and other believers. Whether it is who we voted for or what movie we are going to see, our choices can even destroy relationships. Controversy is running rampant from the nightly news to the family dinner.

Where do I find relief? In the reality of Colossians 3:3 – “For you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Do you ever want to run away and hide? I have the perfect place for you. Psalms 91 and Psalms 17:8 says, “Hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Jesus spoke about this also in Luke 13:34. He said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem you who kill prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” You see, we have an escape from the frantic world we are living in today. It’s in HIS PRESENCE, under HIS WINGS, resting close to the heart of the one that created you.  Is that the same as burying your head in the sand?  I don’t think so.

HE cares more passionately than you care about the condition of our world. He cared enough to die for the world.  NOTHING is taking Him by surprise. He is working and drawing all people to Himself.  Our job is to abide In Him, rest and allow His spirit to flow through us as we relate to others in this disruptive world.  We don’t have to have all of the answers.  We don’t have to figure everything out.  We simply have to abide.  And as we abide, we will love and we will rest in the midst of confusion.  And if God chooses to speak through us to others; it will be in a gentle spirit full of grace.