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We made salsa today with our own homegrown tomatoes and jalapenos. The kids helped me peel the tomatoes, made easier by blanching them first (the tomatoes, not the kids). Tonight we’ll enjoy our salsa on beef fajitas — which I’ve already begun to cook, and as I write this I can hear the sizzling from my cast iron skillet.
If you’ve kept up with my blog you may have noticed that I’ve been dwelling on some serious subjects, like whether our nation has been warned. To be honest, I began to feel a bit down. I found myself in the company of David, who cried “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?” I began to have a small understanding of how Daniel must have felt after a terrifying vision. “Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days…” (Daniel 8:27A).
I know now that God wanted me to think and write about those things, but He does not want me to dwell on them. In culinary terms, it’s time to peel back those dark thoughts and make some fresh salsa.
“…then I got up again and carried on the king’s business; but I was astounded at the vision.” Daniel 8:27B
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core where I’ve become so numb
Without a soul, my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home
I’ve been browsing YouTube for a video that best captures what this song means to me. I’ve found anime, tributes to movies, and suicide recovery videos — all set to this song. While I have yet to find a perfect fit to the picture in my head, this one comes fairly close — for me this song is about new spiritual life in Christ.
We had quite the situation yesterday: two ripped-up drawings, some screaming, and two very angry young children. Busy making the grocery list — and thus conveniently unavailable — I listened as my husband dealt with the fall-out.
“He tore up my hard work!”
“She (sob!) tore up (choking!) the sign for my door (more loud sobbing with total body tremors!)”
And then Brad’s voice, trying to restore calm “So who ripped up the first drawing? And what happened before that?” And just when it seemed the thing was solved, another fact emerged: She had drawn a picture of herself sticking her tongue out at him.
Now what, I wonder, would the nominated Sonia Sotomayor say about that?
Justice can be difficult to attain. In the United States, we understand the importance of justice and the inherent human dangers in achieving it. Our whole political system is based on the fact that the power to judge can be corrupting. We have checks and balances, a rigorous Supreme Court nomination process, and when all that fails — investigative reporting from a free press to find the error. Not that this always works, of course.
Every now and then we hear about someone who died in jail after being falsely imprisoned. Or killers and rapists being released on parole after a couple years, while less dangerous criminals serve their full term without mercy. Despite our best efforts sometimes justice eludes us.
Jesus tells us to “judge not” because He knows that no human can ever get it right — we cannot truly get to the bottom of a matter because we cannot completely know another person’s heart. We can tell something from their actions, we can judge what happens on the surface. Sometimes we must use these surface-level behavioral clues to make decisions about a person, as other passages in the Bible tell us we should be discerning and shrewd. But at a deeper level, all human judgment is inherently flawed.
Someday we will see perfect justice, tempered by perfect love. Can you imagine it?
No evil will go unpunished, no good will go unnoticed. For every hardened criminal who plans horrible acts in secret, there will be justice. For every evil force that tempted you, justice. And for everyone who deserves the worst fate justice can offer, but has humbly repented — perfect, loving mercy.
It isn’t wrong to yearn for justice, as long as we know Who alone will achieve it.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
When a movie poster for the upcoming 2012 movie got me all charged up, I explored the possibility that we have indeed been warned (see parts 1, 2, and 3 of this series). In Part 3 I said that perhaps the time for repentence has passed, that we may be entering a time of judgment/wrath which cannot be avoided.
In saying this, I meant the time for collective repentence. But hear me on this: individual repentence is ALWAYS on the table.
“You were dead in your transgressions and sins… but because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ — it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:1, 4-5.
“Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” 2 Chronicles 16:8-11.
It’s never too late for you and me. We may face certain physical death (don’t we all?) but it’s not too late for your spirit.
Having said that, this thinking about impending physical doom and gloom isn’t something I like. And while that movie poster gave me a hook for the blog, I’ve been studying Scripture on this topic for months to guide and confirm what I’ve felt in my spirit. I don’t take this subject lightly and neither should you.
So here’s what I’ve learned: don’t misplace your hope and trust. Extinction of humanity or the decline of the United States isn’t the worst that can happen. If you have repented individually and trust in Christ alone, you don’t need to worry about the worst thing. But you may be called to warn others!
There’s an old country hymn that popped into my head yesterday morning called “Sing and Be Happy.” I was at the park with my kids and I couldn’t stop humming the tune. Yes, even when I sense that we’re heading into a very difficult time, I could still hum this lighthearted tune while playing with my happy children. Why? For that, you’ll need to see the lyrics:
If the skies above you are gray, You are feeling so blue,
If your cares and burdens seem great all the whole day through,
There’s a silver lining that shines in the heavenly land,
Look by faith and see it my friend, Trust in His promises grand.
Often we are troubled and tired, Sick with sorrow and pain,
There are others living in sin blest with earthly gain,
Take new courage, we cannot tell what the morrow may bring,
When the dark clouds vanish away, Then your heart truly can sing.
Oft we fail to see the rainbow, Up in heaven’s fair sky,
When it seems the fortunes of earth frown and pass us by,
There are things we know that are worth more than silver and gold,
If we hope and trust Him each day, We shall have pleasure untold.
(CHORUS) Sing and be happy, Press on to the goal,
Trust Him who leads you, He will keep your soul;
Let all be faithful, Look to Him and pray,
Lift your voice and praise Him in song, Sing and be happy today.
This is my last post in this series.
