I remember the morning. The sudden awareness that life had dramatically changed around me. In a moment, the earth felt like a spiraling out of control spin at hyper speeds on its axis threw the world into a tailspin, likely to never come out. One small moment. A reality that would not be erased as Groundhog Day became the new daily normal.
The world had been spiraling out of control. This was not a new circumstance in which we found ourselves. What changed is simply, the sheer volume of good-hearted, well intentioned, people who I personally knew and loved that I thought were on the same page. Only to realize we were not, now, and likely, never have, been reading from the same book. I grieved the illumination of a harsh reality I had been in denial of prior.
Waves of grief began to erode the shoreline of my heart. As the stages of grief often does, the waves crashed with varying degrees of intensity dependent on the stage of grief in which I experienced. Mostly, I have come to accept the place in which we are. At least I think I have. Until, another, even worse than before, harsh reality of the hidden things from their hearts surface in another bold statement they are so proud of. Some newly enlightened place of freedom from the foundations of biblical principle they are passing off as yet another win in the game called deconstruct my religion. Oh, how my heart grieves fresh all over again.
What is a girl to do amid all this turmoil?
I asked myself this question to no avail. Because as I answered myself from my personal preference I discovered, no surprise, my answer was not Christ like at all. It was rooted in a place of disgust and disappointment. Surely, they knew better. At least I thought they did.
The obvious became so obvious I wondered if it had been me that was confused all along. This was likely a plausible reality. God is never confused or caught by surprise even when we are about others and ourselves. He knows the hidden places of our hearts.
You see, it’s easy to perceive we are on the same page of the same book when walking through the mundane activities of life. But pressure rises and people begin to let off steam as the teapot whistles. The more heat, the more pressure, the more steam that escapes, and the louder the whistle. Sometimes what pours out of the teapot is just too hot to enjoy. That, my friend, is where we are.
The only solution to the whistle of the teapot is to remove it from the heat and set it aside. Walk away. Come back for tea another time. For now, we must separate ourselves.
We do not discard the pot. We do not break the pot. We merely set the pot aside and let the temperature cool.
The turmoil we face as women today is the equivalent of a pressure cooker disguised as a teapot.
Good called evil.
Truth called hate.
Conformity to sin called tolerance.
Division of people called unity.
Morality called immorality.
Satanic religions called social justice/narrative/movements.
Biblical principles called chains of bondage.
Walking along the wide path with the multitudes of lost has suddenly been deemed the only loving way to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Before your feathers become ruffled, hear my message. I am NOT suggesting we breathe fire and brimstone in their faces along the path beside them judging and condemning their every move. I AM suggesting that we hold their hands in love as we tell them Jesus died for their sins the same way he died for our own. This, does require, us to acknowledge the sin of this world while delivering the only way to truth is none other than Jesus Christ.
These times are hard. We are surrounded by public display of immorality with a demand of acceptance or be considered intolerant, unloving, offensive, and part of the problem of the world. The newest fad in the “Christian” world is to deconstruct your faith piece by piece calling into question every aspect of the biblical principle on which it has been developed seeking external, worldly support as the bible cannot be the only source of truth. Women all over the land are calling for liberation from application of biblical principles in marriage, family, modesty, and unique characteristics of the design of women by the very hand of God himself.
Yet, as women, we play an important role in the family as we raise sons and daughters in truth. I could not help but ponder the significance of the responsibility, I, as the mother, of small children carry in these days. Amid the turmoil of the world, that will continue to escalate, we, are God’s chosen people called to live holy. As outdated as holy might be in this culture, it is NEVER outdated in God’s culture. Our ability to pursue holiness, teach holiness, and live holy IS the key to our ability to be accepted into the very presence of God. His presence is where we will find ourselves, our strength, our hope, our shelter, our provision, and our eternal home in heaven with Him.
The key to my ability, though I stumble, to walk the narrow path seeking Jesus first above all else in this world, has been to separate myself from the world enough to keep a repentant heart, sanctified mind, and focus on the only thing in this world that matters; knowing Jesus better so I can emulate him more. Amid the turmoil. The soul is the goal. My soul. Your soul. Their soul. Two opposing sides are at war with one prize sought after. The soul.
My goal: To hear the words, well done thy good and faithful servant as my soul enters that heavenly place with God for eternity.
The time described in 2 Timothy below is the time in which we are living. Our goal, like Paul, is to finish the race, remaining faithful. Bobbie
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
2 Timothy 4:3-5 NLT
“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
