It seems to me that as soon as we think that there is peace, chaos, disaster, and division are not far behind. There is a constant flux and flow of news that seems to be nothing but negative. Corona Virus variants. COVID hospitalizations on the rise. Explosive school board meetings concerning masks wearing in schools. Personal rights vs governmental overreach. Taliban takeover. Earthquake in Haiti with rising death toll. Hurricanes. And not to mention the growing divisions among the Body of Christ.
The current news and situations are reminders that all creation is groaning…awaiting a better day.
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:22–23 (ESV)
As the Children of God, we are certainly looking forward to the final rescue of God! What do we do in the meantime…We live as EXILES! Realizing that this life is temporary and that we are passing through. But we do not merely ENDURE as exiles but LIVE as exiles. The Apostle Peter tells us that we must live as “peculiar people” …model citizens of two realities. Reside in such a way that those on the outside are drawn to God, which gives Him GLORY! We do this by knowing our identity in Christ, living as an example, submitting to broken authority, suffering well and knowing your enemy. Just read the book of 1 Peter. Here’s a snippet:
1 Peter 1:15–17 (ESV)
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
1 Peter 2:9–12 (ESV)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Church family, in these last days let us be those who represent Christ, even in the middle of “Bad News”.