We don't live our Christian faith and life in a vacuum. We live in the world of the things that happen around us each and every day. That means that we are inevitably influenced, in some way, by the things that happen in our world. Especially in this day and age of instant access and reporting, things happen on the other side of the world, and we are hearing about them even before leaders of the nation in which they happen are able to respond.
So, on Thursdays, I'm regularly going to check in on a few things happening that are making the news, and giving a few thoughts on how our Christian faith informs us as to how we approach the stories, and how we can even be salt and light for Christ when others discuss the same topics.
Today, I've actually got a couple of items for our consideration, so please bear with me. The first one is something that has been in the news regularly in the Atlanta metro area, where a two year old was left in a car and died, and now the parents are facing charges in the child's death. On top of that, there have been additional incidences in other states, and even a couple of indicents locally here that continue to shine the spotlight on this.
As Christians, we believe that God is the giver and taker of life. It is inappropriate for us humans, outside of God's given authority, to take life by our own choosing. It doesn't matter whether that life barely has begun when the sperm and egg meet, or if it's the life of a 95 year old who suffers greatly. God is the giver, and God is the taker.
It really should not only sadden our hearts, but anger us, when we come across stories like this. We are saddened that a life has been taken, especially one so young, in which the experience of life has not yet taken place. We also are angered at the injustice of it, and yes, we should rightfully be angry at injustice. God's people are to strive to see that justice happens, even as we seek to inject mercy into the situation as is applicable. While God alone can do that perfectly, having both of those thoughts in our heads is actually a good and appropriate thing.
The second thing from the news that I want to touch on is the rash of planes crashing or being shot down in the past week. As one who has traveled far and wide, and is likely to do so in the future, this is something that weighs on my mind. And yet, even as we take to the various pathways of travel, can we be in any better hands than that of our God? If God has redeemed us by the blood of Christ, then our life in Him is secure, even if we happen to be in a plane shot down or crash-landing. While it may not be our chosen way of arriving before our God, in the end, our hope endures and is secure. Thanks be to God for that, in Jesus.
So, on Thursdays, I'm regularly going to check in on a few things happening that are making the news, and giving a few thoughts on how our Christian faith informs us as to how we approach the stories, and how we can even be salt and light for Christ when others discuss the same topics.
Today, I've actually got a couple of items for our consideration, so please bear with me. The first one is something that has been in the news regularly in the Atlanta metro area, where a two year old was left in a car and died, and now the parents are facing charges in the child's death. On top of that, there have been additional incidences in other states, and even a couple of indicents locally here that continue to shine the spotlight on this.
As Christians, we believe that God is the giver and taker of life. It is inappropriate for us humans, outside of God's given authority, to take life by our own choosing. It doesn't matter whether that life barely has begun when the sperm and egg meet, or if it's the life of a 95 year old who suffers greatly. God is the giver, and God is the taker.
It really should not only sadden our hearts, but anger us, when we come across stories like this. We are saddened that a life has been taken, especially one so young, in which the experience of life has not yet taken place. We also are angered at the injustice of it, and yes, we should rightfully be angry at injustice. God's people are to strive to see that justice happens, even as we seek to inject mercy into the situation as is applicable. While God alone can do that perfectly, having both of those thoughts in our heads is actually a good and appropriate thing.
The second thing from the news that I want to touch on is the rash of planes crashing or being shot down in the past week. As one who has traveled far and wide, and is likely to do so in the future, this is something that weighs on my mind. And yet, even as we take to the various pathways of travel, can we be in any better hands than that of our God? If God has redeemed us by the blood of Christ, then our life in Him is secure, even if we happen to be in a plane shot down or crash-landing. While it may not be our chosen way of arriving before our God, in the end, our hope endures and is secure. Thanks be to God for that, in Jesus.
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