Honestly,
they have a reason to be. The natural
disasters America is experiencing with monumental flooding and raging fires is
displacing tens of thousands and causing hundreds of millions in damages. The death tolls our major cities are facing
due to violence are higher than what our soldiers have faced on the
battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The effect of political ideology and battles are reaching with
devastating effects, to the smallest corners of our society. Even so, in the face of this I have
tremendous optimism.
First,
I understand where all this craziness is coming from so it comes without
alarm. We live in a place where there is
a God who is good, and a Devil who is evil.
These opposing forces naturally lead to ongoing spiritual battles that
are revealed in our daily news headlines.
Jesus spoke of this when He said, “The thief comes to steal, kill and
destroy. I came that they might have
life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
The work of the thief produces chaos leading to pessimism, while the
work of Jesus produces hope leading to optimism.
The
reason I believe these are great days is because of Jesus’ resurrection
centuries ago. There is a common phrase
in Christian circles that goes, “Because He lives, I live.” This speaks of the victory Jesus won through
His cross. Leading up to His epic
victory, evil and its allies threw every form of attack at Him. When He was arrested, tried and sentenced to
death - they rejoiced. When He was
tortured - they cheered. When He was
nailed to the cross and died - they rose in a spirit of achievement. When He was buried - they celebrated.
Then
three days later the tables were turned.
Suddenly, Jesus was revived! He
rose from the dead! He walked
victoriously out of His own tomb! Evil
cried out in anguish at His triumph. He
won! Evil was defeated! Evil no longer was the world’s Dictator. People can now have optimism and hope in the
face of violence and destruction.
