For Such a Time as This...

I have been writing for the last hour and deleted everything I had to say.  Because my words began to make as little sense as the chaos that seems to be reigning in our country right now.  You've read it all, great points and arguments and pleas on all sides of an issue that shouldn't even have sides. It shouldn't be happening.

Racism should not exist in a world with as much education and experience as ours, yet it truly does exist in all of its ugliness. Lives should not be taken because of what possibly may be abuse of power, or corrupt hearts;  but lives should also not be taken from our innocent, honorable and heroic men who were simply trying to do their job and protect and serve their community, in some ridiculous and completely misplaced act of "revenge" or "justice".  Yet lives are being taken. Our world is in chaos.

How sad is it that we would need a movement stating "Black Lives Matter"? Of course they do! Then the signs saying "Police Lives Matter"! Of course they do! I started to type out that black lives, white lives, etc... all matter. But for me, this is a ludicrous statement because lives aren't black, white, police, etc... We are all living beings who happen to have different skin colors, or a specific career.

 LIVES MATTER.  PERIOD.  The tone of anyone's skin or the uniform a person wears has absolutely nothing to do with the state of their heart, or the capacity of their mind. We are all people, with personalities, morals, and values that have been being instilled in us from the time we were created. We are individuals, with our own thought processes and ability to make decisions. We each have a purpose and call placed into us by a loving God who very intentionally made each of us unique and beautiful, and in the image of Christ.

So why are we allowing fear, pain, hurt, misunderstanding and the emotions of others to lead our decisions? Even many Christians are guilty right now of following the emotion of the country and the fear of our political situation to dictate our behaviors and conversations.  It is so important that we realize that we too are falling right into the trap that the enemy has laid out for us.  If you believe in God, you must also believe there is an enemy out to kill, steal and destroy.  When we give in to fear, when we jump onto bandwagons, or waiver in our stand to love others as Christ loved us, we are giving him ground in this epic battle. 

And here is what helps me to stand strong in this time of extreme uncertainty... we were created for SUCH A TIME AS THIS. Not one of us is living in this day and  time by accident, the bible tells us that before we were ever in our mother' womb, God knew us and had a plan for us.  (Jeremiah 1:5, 29:11)

Think about that... YOU are here for a purpose, YOU can make a difference.  There is something so special and amazing inside of you that God chose for YOU to live in this time of chaos to represent him and bring his message to this world.  We don't have to fear, or live in the confusion, we can rise above it and be an ambassador of his hope, the light in the darkness. You simply have to choose to allow him to use you, and get out there and be Jesus to the world.  You were destined for NOW. YOUR LIFE MATTERS.