“GOD’S NOT FIXING THIS!”
The headline in the New York Daily News last week following the San Bernadino shootings was so startling, it was like a knife to my Christian heart. The headline was in direct response to numerous Tweets shared by nearly all of the GOP candidates offering their “thoughts and prayers” to the families of the victims of last week’s rampage.
It was the writer’s opinion that in light of all the mass shootings around the country lately, no amount of prayer appears to be having any effect on the violence. The problem, in their opinion, was more gun control is needed.
Comments and Tweets supporting the article all seemed to agree that prayer is for simple-minded people who put their faith in some unseen God that doesn’t exist. After all, IF there really is a God, wouldn’t he stop the violence? Hence, the premise of the article.
My first reaction was to pray for the misguided unbelievers who so violently attack faith and my Lord and Savior.
Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do.
Truthfully though, with so much global violence and the ongoing attacks against Christianity – I am at times, overwhelmed; unable to form prayers that will help the lost. How do we, the faithful, combat worldwide hate and evil?
I find myself retreating to my “happy place” which as of late – happens to be The Hallmark Channel. It seems so much easier to lose myself in a sappy Christmas movie that successfully navigates its way through numerous obstacles. Hallmark Christmas movies ALWAYS arrive at the same happily ever after conclusion – and all within a two-hour time frame, regardless of the difficulties along the way. Oh, if only life’s challenges were as easily resolved!
But life isn’t a Hallmark Christmas movie. Problems that we face are tough and oftentimes life-changing and heartbreaking. Rather than succumb to the negativity and loss of faith, it’s more important than ever that we don’t lose sight of WHO is in control of our destiny.
Christ came to earth born as a tiny baby and lived His entire 33 years as a man of flesh who would ultimately (and willingly) die for us so that we could be forgiven for our many sins and repeated transgressions. Christ came and died for us so that we could have an eternal future with Him, free from the world’s evil.
To the unbeliever it may appear as though God isn’t fixing any of the problems we are facing today. But don’t think for a minute that God doesn’t know what is happening.
God is still on the throne. God still cares for His people. PRAYER STILL WORKS and Jesus is still the King of Kings!
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Merry Christmas and wishing you blessings in Christ,
Kathy K.
I feel mankind is in the downward spiral Romans talks about.
Indeed, only God and prayer could change this.
Back in the 70’s, there was a German-American woman from Huntington Beach, California named Hansi. She had an entire ministry based on this verse from second Corinthians. She spoke all over the country and was an author. I had the privilege to hear her up in Iowa at a national convention of Lutheran women. Does anyone remember her? This verse is definitely a rallying cry for our times as well. Read it again and unpack each part of it. It is a call to the church to act. It is a promise to heal us if we do act. We need many “Hansi”s.
Kathy, thank you for the thought provoking comments. I’ve Been reading about Jonah today, convicted (not condemned) about a lack of love, even for my “enemies,” but am reminded that “The LORD is not slack (slow) about His Promise….but is Long-Suffering to us, not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance,” (2 Peter 3:9) and this starts with me. I see that God is patient with “sinners” AND His sinning saints. We all need Jesus as Savior (I believe every day). The “Fix” is in, it’s Jesus, and it happens one humbled heart at a time. With that, I rest in His Sovereignty.
Wow, Kathy, what an incredible, thought provoking message you got hear. And you managed to make it hopeful as well!
Thank you for taking the time and effort to craft this post.
Good article, Kathy!
Great article, Kathy!