Friends, my blogging has been hit and miss at best. Please forgive me. I needed a break, needed to slow down after the Daniel Fast in January. Then I had the most horrific issues with my blog and host server. A two week nightmare. Then, along came Norah Jayne. She is a huge distraction but one that I will take any day. On top of that, we are preparing to move south to be near that little bundle of joy. So, I admit I am distracted, which is what our post is about. I am thrilled to be writing and sharing today for #FiveMinuteFriday and I pray it is a blessing to you. Thank you for your patience, I will be back on track soon!
When social issues keep us from being UNITED.
I can’t think of a time in my 54 years that I have longed for a reprieve from the constant barrage of disagreement over social issues. Obviously, the flood of technology has made it so convenient to air one’s opinion that everyone and their little brother can join the bandwagon.
To make matters even more overwhelming, we are in the middle of a presidential election, the most divided one I can remember. It keeps us stirred up all day long, every day, if we allow it to.
Friends, this is just what the enemy had envisioned, what he works for!
He is jumping for joy over our fascination with bathrooms right now. Of course I think it is an important issue and we shouldn’t just give in. Let your voices be heard but please remember Who we represent! Threatening to beat up someone who walks into the restroom isn’t the answer. (This is an easy fix as most businesses already have FAMILY restrooms; a single bathroom that anyone can use. Problem solved. #mytwocents)
But the world isn’t looking for a solution…they are looking for division.
And dividing Christians among themselves, keeping us stirred up on social issues and distracting us from our real purpose is all in the plans of the enemy.
When things like this, agreeably important, sidetrack us from our actual mission, the reason we were put here on this earth, we are no longer united for the sake of the Gospel. Because of all of the social media tools and television, radio, etc., we are bombarded all day long with negativity and division, all the while forgetting we are living in the Last Days and the Lord will surely come soon.
So, what should we do to UNITE?
Pray! Okay, so that sounds too simple and maybe to some too hard but it is our first weapon of choice! The Bible says to, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV.
How can we be strong? Only by putting on the armor of God, which the chapter in Ephesians tells us is applying His Word to our hearts and minds. Read it!
Focus. The Lord told us in His Word that these things would come upon us before His return. Why are we surprised?! It’s going to happen and it’s going to get worse but we weren’t put here to walk the streets for social change. We’ve read the back of the Book, it’s not going to happen! Don’t get me wrong, as I said, we need to stand up for our rights especially to protect our children. But the bottom line is most of these things will continue and get worse as the persecution of Christians becomes more blatant and obvious.
Let us set our minds and efforts on telling others about the good things of God! Share your testimony of what He has done for you. Let them know about the wonderful services your church is having and how others are coming to Christ. Invite them to a home group Bible Study or to a church service…they just might come! Offer to pray for a specific need they might have and then actually take time to pray for them.
The millions of hungry souls out there do not really care what we think about separated bathrooms.
They want to know if there is any hope left in the world. YES! There is! Tell them Jesus died for them. Give them HOPE in a world full of hopelessness!
They are watching you. The world is watching us. Many want to see The Church divided but that’s not what we were made to do.
We are UNITED.
“One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:5, 6. ESV.
Amen. It’s really sad to see people, family, friends squabble on social media due to issues they don’t agree upon. We should remember that we are one.
Such good words Kristina. We all need to draw closer and it is so easy to be distracted from our real purpose. I needed a wake up call. I pray I would begin to live it out and share this Truth while we can. On a side note, I met Ted Cruz his last night campaigning in Indiana! At the last minute my husband and I headed up the road in Bloomington because we had never seen a presidential candidate. We were extremely lucky in our timing. Got to shake his hand and Glenn Beck was traveling with him and I met him too. Hate to see that he didn’t make it 🙁
Ellen!! I miss you, girl! So good to see your face and your words. I have not been blogging like I should and praying for wisdom and inspiration. I long to minister again but maybe I just needed to step back for a while. Appreciate your prayers in this unusual time. Praying you are well.
Strange that it took me to read ypur words to realize our persecution HAS BEGUN.
End of Days has begun in earnest and I’ve had my head in the sand…..
Thank you Nannette for snapping me out of my wayward complacency – I NEEDED IT!!!
Missing you and His Word,
Ellen
Your Focus point is my heart’s desire but I know that I don’t live it out in my own life. I believe strongly in God’s word and the power of the Gospel. But I will sadly confess that I am so more into spreading the “good news of Ted Cruz”. Nicely I might add ; ) But it is as if something inside me isn’t united in Christ as I want to be. I will totally agree that social media is a horrible distraction. But something inside me still wants to hold onto it. Thank you for your challenging words. I always hold onto the thought that if God brings something to my attention that He is going to work it out in my life.
I was just discussing these things with a co-worker and we agreed that, while we have opinions and strong feelings about the things going on, nothing positive is being accomplished by the spewing of thoughts and opinions on social media. I am going to be using your words… “The world isn’t looking for a solution, they are looking for division” because it is so very true. Thank you for your encouragement and for reminding us all of how we fight these battles.
I will add that I keep reminding myself that God is NOT up in heaven wringing his hands with worry. HE is not pacing the floor crying “Oh what shall we do? The transgender community wants to use the bathroom of their choice!” nor is he fretting over our election. HE is not threatened by the continuing protests in my state over the new bill that protects religious freedom. None of this has taken Him by surprise and none of it threatens Him and NONE of it will have any bearing on the way the story of humanity ends. Those blinded by sin and bound by Satan’s schemes may very well come out on top in this world, but they have received their reward. OUR reward is promised and is waiting on us when this journey is over. Praise God for that!
Love you and am so very thankful for your willingness to serve Our Lord!
Hugs to you and yours!
K