Friday, September 23, 2016

Comparing Those on the Left and on the Right

A friend of mine spent some time with a family that is very left leaning, meaning they are usually anti-God, socialists, support abortion, and mostly everything that is against the Word of God. These people, she said, live in fear and anxiety about what is happening in the culture. They feel our nation needs to go more to the left to be a better place.

I know many women who are on the far right, meaning they are usually Christians who love the Lord and His ways. They fight against abortion, for a small government, and mostly for the values found in the Bible. These women live in fear and anxiety about what is happening in our culture. They feel our nation needs to go more the the right to be a better place.

There's something terribly wrong with this picture. Anything that takes away your joy for long has become an idol. The direction of our culture has become an idol in their lives. They have all lost their joy. This is understandable to those who are on the left since they refuse to acknowledge the Lord and walk in His ways. This is not understandable to those who are on the right since they know how the story ends, who sits on the throne, who will be victorious, and have been commanded to not be anxious but to cast their cares upon the Lord.

If believers in the risen Savior look no different than those who have refused Him and made the state of our culture their idol and lost their joy, they need to stop listening to the news and spend a lot more time in the Word and in prayer. We are commanded to pray for our leaders and leave it all in the Lord's very capable hands. He tells us to not fear for He is with us and will never leave us. Do you believe this? If you do, stop worrying and being anxious. You are being a terrible witness for the joy of the Lord. Get rid of your idols and make God the Lord of your life.

Knowing the Lord, serving Him, and shining His light to a dark and decaying world is what we are called to do. This isn't our home. We are strangers and aliens passing through. Our mansions are on a brand new earth where there will be no more death, sickness, pain, or suffering. Live for this home instead and store your treasures in heaven. Yes, vote, pray, and do what you can to get those who live by godly principles or at least, closer to them elected (we will be writing a post about who we will be voting for), but then leave the outcome with the Lord since He is sovereign, you know. 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6