Is it possible to live with joy in our darkening world?

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.

8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”NKJV

Yes, I agree our world is in trouble. The culture many of us grew up in is no longer and we are sad. But, we don’t have to let that steal our joy. Our joy of living. I cannot change my society as a whole, but I can influence those in my sphere.  And if that too is taken away I can still be fruitful as a believer.

Our perspective

Our trouble is looking at this world and feeling too much at home in it. As we were growing up, this is all we knew and for some of us it was a basically pleasant world. There was sunshine, the aroma of lilacs, hopscotch on the sidewalk and a certain routine of school and summer break. But as adults and as believers,  we learn this world is not our home. Yes, it is changing in ways we may not like. Let it.

We belong to another kingdom. We view this world from our seats in heaven where we are seated with Jesus. The perspective is different. Everything looks different. We are no longer grasping for a life that has changed or is gone. Our life goes on in spite of this changing world.

No matter the condition of our culture or our world, we are His representatives. He wants us to be fruitful. Imagine being an ambassador to a foreign country. As an ambassador, we would be representing our home country, its culture and  interests. Living among them, yet not one of them. 

History speaks to us

Looking back through the history of various countries and kingdoms, I often wonder what they thought as their world crumbled around them. Maybe a more powerful country invaded their country and took over. What did they think?

What did the godly Hebrew people think as their society collapsed around them as a result of ungodly leadership from evil kings. Yet, they kept on living. They kept on believing in Jehovah who was in charge, who was allowing or causing the invasion of other countries.

Living joyfully in our darkening world

It is our time to shine brightly. The darker it is, the brighter your light will shine. Not being better churchy people. But real authentic children of the living God. Untethered from this world. Not angry for the evil that is triumphing. Separate, yet living in the middle of the mess. Even the political scene today does not bother me. I don’t have to have any one candidate winning. I will vote as I see best; then I will step back and watch to see what God will bring about. What He will allow or cause to happen. He is in charge.

It isn’t easy to let go, but God is sovereign and will have His way. So let’s step over to God’s side and watch His purposes unfold. 

I often think of those first verses in the beginning of the book of Acts.

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,

11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

May I encourage you to look up at the sky and ponder these three verses. That Jesus, that real man/God is still that man/God at the right hand of the throne of God. There is a real man up there somewhere. A real man. We belong to Him. We are here carrying out His interests and the kingdom business. Are we aware of Him up there? Is He connected with us personally? Do we hear His voice? Do we feel His nudges to go here or to do this?

When our focus changes from the decaying society around us to seeing Him up there and being concerned for His business, life can still be full of joy. 

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O Lord God Almighty, You are in control. You are all wise and good. We have nothing to fear. We can live joyfully while our world gets darker as it moves more and more away from You. Amen