This is the world we live in

After binge-blogging in June, I needed a break. Yes, I did end up posting six times in July, but three of those were pre-scheduled. While I see that I've been able to respond to a couple blogging challenges already (Lenten devotionals in March and April, checking in with devotionals and other thoughts during the fast in May and June), I've also needed time away, to not think about blogging. It takes time, and more importantly, energy to write. I surmise that if it hadn't been for the pre-scheduled posts, I may not have written the other posts. Who knows?

I'm still turning myself back toward blogging, this attempt at writing and, through just practicing writing and deciding if I like what I see once I've posted it as a way to coach myself how to write better in the future, self-actualization as a writer (perhaps). But this past weekend shook a lot of things up. A white guy opened fire targeting persons of Mexican descent in El Paso, Texas, and another guy opened fire on others in Dayton, Ohio. Both incidents were within a day of one another. A co-worker I talked to earlier today admitted that, even though she was trying to be strong, this affected her. (She's a non-believer.) My church yesterday had this as our prayer at the end of the service, and when I went onto Facebook later yesterday, many people from my church posted articles, links, videos, and other comments about their outrage not only at the events, but at the current US president and the state of this country.

I still don't like politics. I don't really have the energy to go into deep posting and deep thinking about all the craziness and evil going on in this world. My fault in this whole mess is that I'm not "in the know" enough. (Translation: bordering on ignorant.) I don't go read political websites or newspapers. I choose not to, because, as I've seen in others that I know, reading the news every day has affected them negatively. I don't want to be ignorant, but I don't want to be depressed, either. The fact is, this is the world we live in. Not just our country. My girlfriend has reminded me from time to time that the interpersonal issues, particularly between different groups of people, this is nothing new, and nothing unique to the United States of America. It happens everywhere: Europe, South America, Central America, Africa, the Middle East, Southern Asia, Eastern Asia, Northern Asia, Western Asia, Australia... And my statement isn't to minimize what's going on here in Chicago. Or Dayton. Or El Paso. Rather, it's to see what goes on here for what it is, and then multiply it across the globe several times over. And yes, it is depressing.

So then, as a Bible-believing, trying-to-follow-Jesus-but-still-have-my-own-hangups Christian, what should my response be to encourage others?

First off, to not minimize the pain, anger, fear, and grief. Romans 12:15 (NIV) states: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Second off, to bring focus and clarity as to what time period we are in, Biblically, my first response would be to point to the Book of Revelation. However, I understand that there are those who happen to be curious about God and Jesus but are put off by the Bible, especially the idea that it is correct, historical, and authoritative. As such, pointing them to the Book of Revelation is hard. (For you who identify with what I just described, here's a secret: there are even those who have truly given their lives to Jesus who are scared of the Book of Revelation too! It's not just you!)

So, to begin, I'll instead point you to a passage where Jesus Himself talks about it. (I've found that sometimes reading a passage where it is clear "Jesus said" can help bridge that gap somewhat between "I'm curious about Jesus because I like what he said" and "I don't trust the Bible.")

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 

Matthew 24:3-14, NIV

I didn't want this blog post to get super-long, and it's already getting to that point. The above passage is part of a much longer passage where Jesus pointed things out to His disciples, to which they then asked Him some questions, to which the above passage is a portion of His response. (It's even longer than what you see!) There is a sentence early on where the disciples asked "when will this happen?" It's a reference to something that Jesus said a moment earlier, which, if I really want to try to do this passage any justice at all, I would need to devote another blog post or several.

To close this post, and to dare to introduce a verse from the Book of Revelation, I'll just give you this verse as an appetizer: “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. Revelation 1:7, NIV

You might not see this as comforting, but I choose to. Simply put -- and to delve in more detail in a future post -- the thought of Jesus coming again means that all the [censored] in this world will finally come to an end. No more bombings, no more shootings, no more genocide, no more weeping, no more pain, no more racism, no more sexual abuse, no more exploitation of any kind, and more. The fact of Jesus coming again at some point will mean an end to everything. And it will someday be the world that we will live in. But not yet. We still have to put up with this world, and all the sin (both our own and others'), for awhile longer.

For now -- still --  this is the world we live in.