Living in the Last Hour

The trials of today are more than one can handle, but Jesus who sits enthroned on high…looks upon me (us) with nothing but love and says, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) Praise God! “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22-23

These days, surrounded by Christians to busy to give a fellow believer a moment of encouragement, I am thankful that God always hears my cry. I may be the only believer in need of encouragement, the only believer that continually wrestles with her faith, never denying the power, or the supremacy of the Almighty, nevertheless, struggling to understand the ways and the things of God. “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” (Rom. 11:34) We cannot possibly fathom the things of the Almighty.

I can see Him breathing in the sacrifices of praise. Can you supersize that? He asks. As the world pulls the Christian closer to itself, the things of God are drowned out by the white noise of an evil world. In its rapacious need to suck out every ounce of energy from those consumed with the relentless pursuit of the things of the world, the Christian begins to resemble Van Gogh’s famous painting. Seeking the things of God becomes just another social obligation, if that, but with empty repetitious jargon that offers little but outward comfort.  

I started this blog because I wanted to share my experiences, my thoughts, things the Lord has shown me as a believer… living in what feels like…well, the last days. Every generation of believers thought they were living in the last days.  Still, with all the natural disasters, violence, wars, famines, disease…it’s hard not to believe otherwise.

This world has always been a crazy place but never has the craziness been so blatant, where wrong is right and good is bad and evil has the best of the best marketing plans from top notch companies. And fellow believers join the crowds at the local hot spots for a night of everything licentious. (Not judging just noting my observations) “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13)

Lately all sense of morality seems to be…well..relative. In today’s post modern thought, morality is the one thing that we can do without…every man for himself. There are no more absolutes is what one man says. My bible says different, but even my granddaughter has challenged me on certain moral issues.  The message she brings home is that “There’s nothing wrong with it, grandma.” Some of her friends have already lost their innocence and more. Lack of acceptance of “traditional moral values” is not a bad thing. That’s what I am hearing.  What?! Did I hear that right?  All sorts of things once considered perverse have gained approval, if not praise from those that have this notion that, “If it feels good, just do it!” That used to be the advertising slogan for Nike, now it’s been applied to our morality. How far can man take that notion? Have you heard of Peter Singer?  There’s a big problem here…if there are no moral absolutes…where is the line drawn between right and wrong…acceptable and unacceptable? No absolutes = everything is permissible. That’s where many young minds appear to be headed. Praise God that ” There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” (Pro. 19:21)

There was a time when making out was reserved for behind the bleachers, or the broom closet…any private place really, not to say that it was acceptable “out of sight”, but teens used “discretion.” Whether it was brought on by shame, the fear of getting caught, or disappointing mom or dad…there was this sense of right and wrong. What happened? When did shame, fear or respect become a bad thing? Was shame the emotion that kept us in check, that kept us from going over the abyss of depravity?

“Making out”, well…it was accepted as part of the growing up experience…by many, but certainly not all, at least that was my experience. Making out (Public display of affection a.k.a. PDA) is just another thing many Americans have became desensitized to, especially the ones that encourage a healthy development about all things human (that’s another topic for another day). I think it’s more tolerance though, than acceptance, but I could be wrong. These days, I’ve heard of 12 & 13 y/o girls being put on birth control. I’m like, “Her mom did what?!”  It was disturbing when my daughter’s pediatrician recommended I put my 13 y/o daughter on birth control and that was 16 years ago.

Lately, it appears young teens, boy/girl, girl/girl could care less where they make out and could care less if anyone watches. I caught a quick glimpse of girl/girl as I drove by one of the local high schools. It’s on a major thoroughfare, so these two were quite visible.  Mind you… I am not any more prudish than the next grandma, but I was like “What the heck?” truly a knee jerk reaction. And it could have been triggered by my granddaughter’s presence. She was in the car with me. She was out of school that day.  Of course…it also proved to be an opening for a very touchy subject. Yup, you guessed it.

My granddaughter was telling me the kids (assorted couples) at her school do it everywhere. “They don’t care grandma and the teachers don’t tell them anything. They even did when I was in jr high.” she said. And now according to my granddaughter, it’s not just the opposite sex we have to be concerned with, she has to fight off active pursuit from both sexes.  It was bad enough having to worry about boys. Well, I said, “I do hope you have more respect for yourself than to put yourself up on display like that.” “I do, grandma. Don’t worry.” she says. “Hmm”, I thought. Can you guess…I took my concerns to the Cross. I know my granddaughter will tell me what I want to hear, so I won’t worry. She’s 14 and very pretty, and smart, so I pray for her constantly. She is under tremendous pressure to submit to every fleshly desire.  I’ve asked her often about her experiences in school and the subject had come up, but again she reassures me that she is concentrating on academics and dance.  Also, I review her social media sites. I read aghast, wondering if parents know what their teens are posting. Most posts are rated R. We have a hard time keeping her off social media sites, so we keep tabs on her sites. My dear friend’s 11 y/o granddaughter has also been falling prey to similar pressures. I was working on my friends tablet and came across some very provocative pictures of her granddaughter. I’m like…”NOOOO!” she’s only 11!

Well, living in these crazy times, surely crazier than when I was young…well…as a believer…it tests the very foundation of my faith. I try to stay vigilant and pray without ceasing for my children, and my grandchildren. My oldest grandson is in the third day. His dad plays the intermittent dad and his step-dad…well…I pray for my grandson.  I don’t have any experience with boys, so I am just dreading…the 5th grade.

I know full well that God does not like people to waver in their faith, but God is so patient and so merciful and so gracious with this wretched woman. I can only imagine how it must hurt and offend God when I doubt. It’s like being unfaithful to the most wonderful husband. Help me with my unbelief, my Lord. You are my God. “I may falter in my faith, but never beyond your reach…” Rich Mullins.

If indeed we are in the last days, we must be ever so watchful and if not, we should be living as if…becoming more Christ like everyday. I don’t know if everyone here believes likewise…in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Savior…the only road to God. I can only hope, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18)

Sing your praise to the Lord, for He is good! Be blessed.