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| Photo courtesy of potus-geeks.livejournal.com |
The nation is polarized--we see and feel that in a very raw way after the recent presidental election.
Gun violence seems to be at an all-time high. The War on Terror is raging, both at home and abroad. We see the current corruption in politics, lament all the abortions that kill millions of babies, hear the battle cry about gay rights and personal rights on every front.
However, if you want a bit of perspective, I'd love to offer you this television series that I have worked my way through recently on Netflix: The Seventies.
Now, being born in 1978, I missed out on experiencing this groovy decade in its own right. However, in school I learned about the Vietnam War and about President Nixon's impeachment and lots of other not-so-glamorous aspects of this time period in American history.
But.let.me.just.tell.you...
I had NO idea about all the gory details, the angst and sin and just-plain-awfulness, that characterized this decade!
Oh, the serial killers like Ted Bundy and deadly cult figures like Jim Jones and Charles Manson...
The ludeness and crudeness of shows like "All in the Family"...
The deception and corruption of the government in Washington, Watergate, the blatant lying to the American people, culminating in President Nixon's resignation as President....
The legalization of abortion with the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision...
The ugly Vietnam War, the flagrant mistreatment of war veterans coming back home, and the deadly riots which ensued on college campuses as a result of anti-war protesting...
The women's liberation movement...and their marches for free abortions on demand!
Oh, the list could go on and on.
But, dear friend, times are no different today!
In fact, I could watch a documentary series about the 1960s or the 1930s, or truly any decade in history, and be appalled to see the wars, atrocities, and out right sin and licentiousness associated with each and every period of history.
In fact, did you realize that Ronald Reagan ran for the office of President using the exact same campaign slogan as Trump did: MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN ?!
These are dire times, yes, but remember that the face of the Earth was so wicked in Noah's day that God brought a flood to smite it out (saving only 8 people on the planet!). Remember that Jesus Himself said that this time--His time--were the end times.
The end will come. Just as surely as we celebrate in this Advent season and look back to the coming of Jesus that first Christmas morn, He will surely come again...a second time...this time, not to bring salvation upon the earth, but to bring judgement. (See John 3:17 and Acts 17:31)
Will we--will you--be ready? Do you know Him personally? If so, do you wait for Him expectantly, like the virgins with their lamps of oil? (See Matthew 25:1-13)
Times...they aren't a-changing. Humanity (since Adam) has always been in bondage of sin and in need of a Savior. I pray we would all acknowledge that, confess and repent, and turn to Him, both individually, and corporately as a church and as a nation.
The other thing that really struck me after watching this documentary series about the 1970s is how patient our God is with the likes of us! I must admit--if I were him, I would have nuked us a long time ago. What sin! What flagrant licentiousness! To parade and march for it! To kill for it!
But, thankfully, God is not like me! He is patient. Why? The Scriptures tell us:
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
Let us seek to spread the Good News in this generation, like every generation before us. God is still at work! He always will be! And I praise Him that He is patient, and He is good, and He is God (and I am not!)
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