Friday, April 19, 2013

Long Time No Talk

I have a million things to say, and several half written posts.  But let's start with the present.  Boston.  I was at work listening to a radio show when I heard the news.  Sick.  As more info came in and then video, the feelings turned to horror, sorrow, and disgust.  How could someone do this?  This was premeditated.  This was with intent of maiming and injuring people.  I just can't wrap my head around that. 
Today, I worked from home.  I normally don't turn on the TV on days I'm working, but I saw the news on the bombing suspects this morning, so I turned it on and left it on all day.  You know what struck me?  The number of times the word fear was used.  Now please don't take this the wrong way.  Please don't read the rest of this and think "wow, she must think she's really high and mighty".  If I had been in Watertown today, my rump would have been inside, probably in the basement, away from windows, praying no one came to my door.  I don't play around with stuff like that.  But still after 12 hours of news time (way too much), I'm plagued by this word 'fear'.  It just doesn't have to be a reality for us.  We don't have to live in fear.  First I watched the news, where fear was a hot topic, then in commercials, celebrities are telling us to buy gold so we don't have to fear the economy.  I'm telling you, you need a nerve pill just after watching a couple round of commercials. 
All this to say, WE NEED JESUS!!!  So desperately.  We don't have to live in fear.  I catch myself in fear over what political leaders might do, or might vote in, or might allow, but my hope doesn't rest in them.  I love America, but my hope doesn't rest in it.  My hope, my freedom of fear rest in Jesus.  Knowing that he has paid the price for my salvation, and He has promised me eternal life in heaven.  I really can't imagine life without that promise, I can't imagine thinking that this world is all there is. As America becomes less and less isolated from the dangers of the rest of the world, I think it's so important to remember fear shouldn't control us as Christians.

2 Timothy 1:7 - one of my favorites
  "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline"

We have power over our thoughts.  Don't give into fear.  Remember we are God's children.  He loves us.  He has a paradise laid out for us.

As a favorite hymn so truthfully says, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through.  My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.  The angels beckon me from heaven's open door and I can't feel at home in this world anymore."