I encourage you to read to the end…or you might miss the point.

It was an incredible year. So much division. So much anger. People pointing fingers at each other. Demeaning each other. Tearing each other down. A very sad time. And I heard a lot that was very disturbing. Maybe you did, too.

“They want to take my rights away.” “Their figures are lies.” “It’s just politicians wanting more power and corporations wanting more money.” “I have a constitutional right.” “It’s my life. I’ll live it as I want.” “No one is going to tell me what to do!”

I live in the southern US and it seemed a cloud of distrust covered my state. As many in the country conceded, more states enacted strict rules, regulations, and laws. But others reacted with anger and pride, much the same as mine.

Give thanks in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

It can be difficult to be thankful when the world is in chaos. Our focus can easily shift. Priorities change. And we begin looking to the world to find what we are thankful for, rather than our Heavenly Father. Paul warned us about this long ago.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)

When we do not glorify God and give Him thanks, plans fail. Loving ourselves becomes more important than loving our neighbors…even to the point of rejecting a temporary inconvenience that could save a life. Is that who we are called to be?

As I have loved you…love one another. (John 13:34)

I want others to see Jesus alive in me. I want them to see His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control…to discover His forgiveness and mercy. I want them to know I love them as Jesus has loved me.

Yes, it was an incredible year. By the way, that year was 1988. People were angry and defiant. Why? Because the State of Georgia passed a law requiring them to wear a seatbelt when driving a car.

Thank you Father for loving us, especially when our thinking is futile, our heart darkened, and our calling forgotten. You are not waiting to be crowned. You are already king. Your kingdom is not preparing to come. It is already here! Amen!!!

Ciloa Forever!

Chuck

 

 

Chuck Graham is Founder and Executive Director of Ciloa, an international ministry devoted to encouraging others and teaching them how to encourage one another. Also an author and speaker, Chuck and his wife, Beverly, live in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA. Learn more about Chuck and Ciloa at www.Ciloa.org.
 
 
Pictures: Banner Shot: Created by David A. Burke. (1) Compassion, photographer unknown, Pinterest.com