From perusing Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, I am positive my vacillating emotions are not mine alone. The emotions of cynism, confusion, frustration, and many others take our hearts up and down like a roller coaster ride. As we deal with these feelings, we must ask, "what is the impetus?" And, "what do I, as a Christian, do with them?"
What is the impetus? This one may be the easier of the two questions to answer. Our Government has been taken over by a group of pecksniffians who intentionally or ignorantly attempt to destroy our Country. Our lives are being affected financially, as well as emotionally. Our families are being divided. Our lives are being taken over using the Media to push fear. The leaders are controlling us, and we vote them in. It is enough to drive us all mad. These are the current realities we can all turn on the news and see happening. We are sadly reminded when passing down the aisles of a grocery store or pulling up to a gas tank. Don't even start on the mask. As we walk outside, the reminders of Covid control are all around us. Is there any wonder that we all face the emotions of discouragement? Sadly many may have become apathetic and complacent.
I think of Queen Esther and the book in the Bible name for her. First, we need to be reminded as we read the Bible that these were real people. They faced real turmoil, with complex decisions that needed to be made. They had to consider real consequences. They also walked with the same God who walks with us today. The phrase that is most notable in expressing the magnanimity of God is 4:14 "... who knows but that you have come... for such a time as this?" The Jews were in danger of annihilation. We read how Esther became Queen and the timing of all the destruction that headed in the direction of the Jews. We'd be remiss to think Esther's position alone was divine timing and placement. Every named character in this book was set by God "for such a time as this." From King Xerxes, Haman, Mordecai, and Esther, each divinely placed for God's purposes.
How does that help us? It is a portion of the answer for the second question, "what do I, as a Christian, do with them (toxic emotions)?" With all the clamoring we face, much of it comes with serious consequences. Our freedoms are diminished. Many are demonized for even questioning the things we hear incessantly on the News. We must continue to the conclusion from the lesson we read in Esther, all the characters at play during the chaos that is our world are "for such a time as this," which includes you and me. If we ask, we are given the wisdom from above, as we believe, God gives it freely without reproach.
He tells us something about ourselves in Christ. Things key for living at such a time in history. No different than all the other victorious Christians of other epics. 1 Corinthians 6:19 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." We read of men and women of God in the Bible and other biographies and autobiographies that we admire. Those who understood that the circumstances they faced were not theirs alone to handle. They were God's, and he wanted to use them in their time to bring Glory to himself and to win men and women into the kingdom. The things they faced and how they surrendered to his purpose showed they understood they were not their own. Hebrews 11 lists many by name and tells us of the price they were willing to pay with the lives they knew were not their own to accomplish God's purposes.
We do not face this politically destructive epic alone. And we are here at this historic moment "for such a time as this." With my mind, spirit, and body, I choose to submit to God's purposes. He leads willingly and always the right way. We can get caught up in the cacophony that is our political chaos, and we will choose to experience shame. Those toxic emotions flooding social media will become your reality to an expense of loss on top of loss. We can stop and bow to the reality that we are bought with a price. The joy of that price, 1 Peter 1 "...not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." He did this for all who will surrender to his control. To those of his Kingdom. You and I are not our own for such a time as this.
Imagine another book of Hebrews being written. As God reminds the author of all those he is proud to name for standing in the gap during their lifetime, I hear my name. Do you hear yours? This won't happen, I know, but we do wait to hear, "well done, good and faithful servant." That will only happen if we step outside our emotional fire alarm and do not allow ourselves to get bogged down in the dirt with the crazy or crazies.
We are not our own. God knows the time in which he chose to breathe the breath of life in us. He has power he wants to use in our lives for our victory and those in our immediate paths. Hebrews 11 reminds us that after death, some virtuous brothers and sisters continued to make an impact. They are the testimony for us to continue to run with faith. They are the reminder, "to live is Christ; to die gain." Faith is necessary. Where we keep our eyes makes all the difference. How we see our lives is as important.
We are not our own. We have been bought with a price. Live that way at such a time.
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