Being Bold in Perilous Times

How are you faring? 2020 has been quite the year. I'm finding myself oscillating between wanting to hide under a rock, head for the hills, and wanting to hit the battlefield (becoming a keyboard warrior against all the verbal slander, untruth, injustice and inconsistency floating around).

I'm all for spreading the word. (I mean, that's what I do for a living.) I'm also for prudence, health, justice and compassion.

But, oh wow!
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I've seen people be caring, sharing, loving and prayerful. (Things I try desperately to hold on to and concentrate on.)

I've also seen the worst in people.

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty." 2 Timothy 3:1

By quoting this verse, I'm not saying the end of the world is here. Our hearts and actions should be the same as if it were though, and we should be diligently aware of our surroundings. Last days or not, these are difficult times. I suppose every generation has times of difficulty. Those times test our faith, build our character and create testimonies for the next generation to learn from.

"For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." 2 Timothy 3:2-4

We've seen, and are seeing a lot of this. As you read that verse, do pictures of certain people pop up into your mind? Something I've noticed is two different, very vocal viewpoints exist. They can each read the same headline and come to opposite conclusions, then lash out venomously against each other.

"​having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." 2 Timothy 3:5

What is this? Avoid such people? How can that be in scripture? Oh, yes! Go back and read Psalm 1:1, Romans 16:17 and 1 Timothy 6:20. Over and over again, scripture tells us to stay away from contentious people. But when Jesus came, he narrowed in on those who presented themselves as righteous individuals. Way everyone's words and actions only with the scripture. (Including our own, ouch!)

"You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness..." 2 Timothy 2:10

Think about this list.

• Faith is not only trust, but it is conviction and confidence.
• Patience is not only tolerance, but fortitude and determination.
• Love isn't a feeling, but a choice we make every moment of the day.
• Steadfastness is being committed and even devoted.

​That's a tall order! These qualities take a strength of character and a lot of courage.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 16-17

And there it is, our promise. As we endure and allow the Lord to use these perilous times to work in our lives, we become more of the person we are meant to be.

With the right perspective, firmly grounded in the Word of God, we can actually become excited about some of the things we see around us.

While people are being constantly reminded of cleanliness and consideration, hopefully the next cold and flu season won't hit so many people so hard. Hopefully more people are becoming concerned about living a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy foods and becoming more active.
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While protests become more pronounced, hopefully people are seeing the importance and blessing of praying together and for each other. Hopefully people will be encouraged to boldly stand up for their God-given rights and begin (or renew) communication with their elected leaders.

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If you'd like to read more about finding the Silver Linings in recent events, pop over to the Woodward News and see my Dusty Draft column.

Now for some encouragement. Here are some of my favorite things this week:

• Traditional Cooking School is an online cooking school created by Wardee Harmon to honor her grandmother’s cooking traditions and preserve them so that future generations can enjoy the health benefits, flavors and fun of traditionally prepared foods. She has a wonderful blog with tons of free recipes and information.

• Do you or your children want to learn how to draw but you have no idea how to teach them? Beyond the Stick Figure step-by-step lessons will take you from drawing stick figures to realistic masterpieces in an open and go, easy to use format.
• Danielle Tate tackles setting up a nursery on a budget and shares some money saving kitchen organization ideas.

On YouTube our family has enjoyed:

• The Bible Project shares a fully animated series tracing key biblical themes from their first appearance through the entire narrative of the Bible.
• Shadiversity tackles some medieval misconceptions about medieval men wearing dresses and whether they could actually fight in them.
• Overly Sarcastic Production has some WONDERFUL condensed and fun history. (Warning, there is a little language.)

While you are contemplating the state of the world, remember Jesus' commandments to Love God with all your heart, strength, soul and mind and Love your neighbor. Everyone can find one kind thing to say or do for someone else each day. And, of course, lets pray for the nation and the world, remembering this is not our home.
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Scriptures are ESV from BibleGateway.com