My Changing World

Yesterday night was a crisp, beautiful fall evening, perfect for a family walk. We loaded up the kids and headed toward an outdoor mall close to our home. We parked close to a frequented pretzel shop, gave everyone a mask to don, and went to buy pretzels. After getting everyone settled in the wagon and distributing the treats, we began our leisurely-paced evening walk. The more we walked, the more eerie I felt on the inside. Few cars were parked. Few people walked the once busy sidewalks. Few stores were opened. Few people were friendly. My family concluded that we felt like we were walking the streets of a ghost town. Several months ago, the lines for the restaurants were out the door. People filled the sidewalks. Stores were hustling with Saturday night purchases. But, that is no longer the case. My world has changed.

This week at school, one of my sons was sharing about Jesus to one of his classmates. This little friend of his did not own a Bible. So, my son came home and wanted to give him one of the Bibles that we had. I retrieved a Bible and put it on the dining room table for my son to take to school. As we were leaving the next morning, my son said, "Mommy, do you think I will get in trouble if I give him this Bible?" The giving of God's Word has now become questioned because of possible ramifications. My world has changed.

For the first time in 12 years on facebook, one of my posts was censored because of my conservative, moral values in regard to abortion. My world has changed.

As I turned into the church parking lot this morning, my heart sunk as parking space after parking space was empty. My world has changed.

I would love to click my heels three times and arrive back to my comfortable, normal world. I want to jump in my bed, throw the covers over my head, and wake up to the way things used to be. But, here I am in the NOW, and my world has changed so drastically. Frankly, I hate it.

So, yes, things are changing. All of us are screaming, "When is everything going to be normal again?" But maybe, the question to ask is, "What is going to change in me?"

In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul writes about Christians being strong in the Lord as they walk their Christian lives. He encourages his readers to put on the armor of God as we are in a battle with Satan himself. This battle is ongoing. As we get closer and closer to the day Christ calls His Church home, evil and destruction will get worse and worse. (Matthew 24:3-14) Christ calls us to stand. In Ephesians 6:13, we read, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

As believers, we are called to stand firm. So, what changes need to be made in our lives? How do we adjust to the culture changing so quickly?

I am afraid that so many believers just accept the culture swing. They choose not to talk about Jesus so they do not offend someone. They choose to let fear dictate whether or not they attend church. They choose not to speak out about abortion because it is a divisive issue.

From the rooftop, I cry an emphatic, "NO!"

This is not the time to back down. This is not the time to be politically correct. This is not the time to stay silent. Instead, our pleas with loved ones to accept Christ should be all the more louder. Our meetings as believers should be more frequent, not less. (Hebrews 10:25) Our resolve to share Jesus to the nations should be stronger, not more reserved.

Complacency, apathy, and a lack of urgency is killing the church. The changing world has beckoned us to stay silent, to compromise standards, and to water-down our message. But, Christ beckons us to put on our armor for battle. He calls us to stand and fight!

My world has changed. What is going to change in me?